Narendra Modi Stadium: South Africa’s Fortress in Ahmedabad

Ahmebabad, Feb 24 (PTI) Unbeaten and unflustered, South Africa have turned the Narendra Modi Stadium into a fortress. In a tournament defined by travel fatigue and shifting surfaces, the Proteas have enjoyed a rare luxury: familiarity. And they have made it count.

In the group stage, South Africa played Canada, Afghanistan and New Zealand in Ahmedabad. Only their fixture against the UAE took them away to Delhi. The Super 8s brought them back to their adopted base, where they outplayed title contenders India and now they prepare to face West Indies at the same venue before a brief trip to Delhi to meet Zimbabwe on March 1.

So apart from Pakistan (because of geo-political reasons) and Sri Lanka as co-host nation, no other country would have had the luxury of playing seven games across two venues (Ahmedabad and Delhi).

Playing at Motera has offered the Proteas a lot more than mere logistical comfort. It has provided strategic clarity.

It's not that South Africa have dictated the scheduling but the Proteas players are not complaining either as they got a home away from home.

Playing five matches out of seven at one venue before the semifinals is something that you can only dream of. If the final is also scheduled at Ahmedabad and South Africa makes it to the title clash, no one will be as prepared as Shukri Conrad's men will be on the big day.

On Ahmedabad's surface, deliveries from spinners have occasionally gripped while late evening matches have offered some movement under lights. South Africa's quicks have adjusted lengths precisely, knowing when the pitch offers steep bounce and when it holds up.

Spinners have identified which ends provide more purchase, and which areas to attack.

Physical and Mental Freshness ====================== Multi-nation tourney like ODI and T20 World Cup is as much about recovery as it is about skill. Minimal travel reduces fatigue. Familiar hotel routines aid rest cycles. Players conserve mental bandwidth. Otherwise adapting to new practice facilities and travel schedules take a toll.

The result? A squad that appears tactically sharp and physically fresh deep into the competition.

There is also a psychological edge. Winning repeatedly at the same venue builds territorial confidence. Opposition teams walk into an environment where South Africa have already celebrated multiple victories. That matters.

Now, with West Indies next in Ahmedabad on Thursday, the Proteas carry not just form but ownership. The brief detour to Delhi for Zimbabwe will test their adaptability again, a reminder that tournaments demand flexibility. But their Ahmedabad blueprint has already laid the foundation. PTI APS APS KHS