India, Feb. 23 -- India's 76-run loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad has turned Super 8 Group 1 into a proper scrap, and it has also stripped India of the one luxury they usually carry into the second round: time. South Africa put up 187/7 and then bowled India out for 111 in 18.5 overs, a defeat big enough to dent both confidence and net run rate in one hit. With only three games per team in the Super 8s, India now have just two matches left to fix everything - points, momentum, and the numbers that decide ties.

Start with the blunt truth: India can no longer aim for two wins and see. They need to behave like every remaining game is an elimination match - because practically, it is.

First, India's ceiling is now clear. With one loss alre...