The road to the T20 World Cup 2026 officially caught fire on February 4, 2026, as defending champions India faced off against South Africa in a high-octane warm-up clash at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. While practice matches are often viewed as mere dress rehearsals, this encounter felt like a statement of intent. India’s batting juggernaut, led by a revitalized Ishan Kishan, dismantled the Proteas’ bowling attack to post a gargantuan 240/6, eventually securing a comfortable 30-run victory.

However, the highlight of the night wasn’t just the scoreline, but a moment of pure, chaotic brilliance from Kishan that left speedster Anrich Nortje in a state of utter disbelief.

Ishan Kishan’s unbelievable mis-hit against Anrich Nortje sails for a six

The defining moment of the Powerplay arrived in the fifth over, delivered by the express pace of Nortje. Already reeling from a flurry of boundaries, Nortje attempted to push Kishan back with a 145kmph+ rib-tickling bouncer. What followed was one of the most bizarre yet effective shots ever witnessed at the Navi Mumbai venue.

As the ball roared toward his head, Kishan instinctively tried to duck out of harm’s way. However, in a desperate attempt to protect himself, his bat remained high and vertical. At the very last microsecond, the ball kissed the face of the blade. Instead of a standard defensive block or a painful blow to the shoulder, the ball gathered the full momentum of Nortje’s pace and glided effortlessly over the short fine-leg boundary for a maximum.

The commentary box erupted in confusion, asking, “How has that gone for six!?” Even Kishan shared a smirky smile with his partner, Abhishek Sharma, as Nortje stood frozen at the top of his mark. That “weird” mis-hit was part of a brutal sequence—6, 6, 4, 6—where Kishan hammered 29 runs off the over, effectively settling the debate over India’s opening slot for the tournament opener. Kishan eventually retired out for a blistering 53 off just 20 balls, featuring seven towering sixes.

Here’s the video:

When you’re in form, everything goes your way!😮‍💨

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | Warm-Up Match | 👉 #INDvSA | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/KpRezrTaFe pic.twitter.com/51Mr18qE1g

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 4, 2026

Also READ: From Virat Kohli to Jasprit Bumrah: Cricketers who won Player of the Tournament in each edition of T20 World Cup

Clinical India dominates despite South African resistance in the warm-up clash

With a mammoth target of 241, South Africa’s chase was always going to be an uphill battle against an Indian side playing on home turf. Aiden Markram (38) and Ryan Rickelton (44) provided some early fireworks, keeping the required rate within sight during the initial overs. However, India’s strategic depth proved too much.

Spin twins Varun Chakaravarthy and Abhishek (2/32) stifled the middle order, picking up key wickets just as the Proteas began to find their rhythm. Tristan Stubbs provided some late-inning drama, smashing a frantic 45 off 21 balls, but the deficit created by India’s top order was insurmountable. South Africa finished their 20 overs at 210/7, falling 30 runs short.

This victory not only boosts India’s confidence as they prepare to defend their crown but also confirms that the “Kishan-Abhishek” partnership is ready to take the world stage by storm.

Also READ: From Virat Kohli to Babar Azam: Leading run-scorers in each edition of T20 World Cup