In a moment that perfectly encapsulated the anguish of a billion fans, a young Team India supporter was captured on camera fighting back tears after Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal during India’s disastrous T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The emotional scene unfolded as India’s hopes of chasing down 188 runs unravelled spectacularly, with the defending champions eventually suffering their biggest T20 World Cup defeat.

A fan’s heartbreak captured on camera

As Abhishek walked back to the pavilion after his 12-ball 15, broadcast cameras panned to the stands where a young girl was visibly emotional, bursting into tears at the terrible state of India’s innings. The image of the distraught fan, her eyes welling up as India slumped to 31 for 3 inside the powerplay, quickly went viral across social media platforms, becoming a poignant symbol of the nation’s collective heartbreak .

The stadium, packed to its 132,000 capacity, had fallen into stunned silence moments earlier when Corbin Bosch pulled off a sensational catch despite nearly colliding with teammate Keshav Maharaj. What could have been a costly misjudgment turned into a spectacular breakthrough, and for the young fan watching her heroes crumble, the disappointment was simply too much to bear.

Corbin Bosch takes a stunning catch despite colliding with Keshav Maharaj

The dismissal that triggered the emotional response came on the third ball of the fifth over. Marco Jansen bowled a clever knuckle ball to Abhishek, who failed to pick the variation and mistimed his shot badly. The ball ballooned high into the Ahmedabad night sky but did not carry much distance, creating chaos among the South African fielders.

From mid-wicket, Bosch sprinted to his right, while from mid-on, Maharaj tracked back sharply. For a moment, confusion loomed large as neither player called decisively. The two collided under the swirling ball, with Maharaj landing on top of Bosch just as the catch was taken.

Replays showed a clearly irritated Bosch looking back at Maharaj with a frosty expression, muttering something under his breath as he turned his back on the spinner. The moment of tension was quickly forgotten in the ensuing celebrations, but it underlined the high-stakes intensity of the contest.

Here’s the video:

pic.twitter.com/5vlhVPmhgM

— crictalk (@crictalk7) February 22, 2026

Abhishek’s brief respite before another failure

For Abhishek, the dismissal marked another chapter in a nightmare tournament. The 25-year-old left-hander had entered the Super 8 clash after registering three consecutive ducks in the group stage against the USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. When he finally opened his account with a boundary off Aiden Markram in the first over, fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The boundary gave Abhishek confidence, and he followed it with a cheeky ramp shot for six off Kagiso Rabada in the third over, using the pace of the South African speedster to perfection. Another full toss from Rabada was dispatched through the covers for a four, as the young opener looked to counter-attack and ignite India’s chase after early wickets.

However, his reckless impatience proved costly. Clearly frustrated at the lack of loose deliveries and desperate to dominate, Abhishek swung wildly at Jansen’s slower ball, miscuing it high on the leg side. His run of scores in the T20 World Cup now reads 0, 0, 0, and 15 – a sequence that has exposed India’s over-reliance on their openers.

The dismissal of Abhishek compounded India’s early troubles. Ishan Kishan fell for a four-ball duck in the very first over, edging Markram behind the wicket. Tilak Varma followed soon after in the second over, trapped by Jansen for just 1. At 26 for 3, India were in deep trouble, and Abhishek’s wicket only worsened the slide.

Washington Sundar failed to steady the innings and departed cheaply, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav could not anchor the chase either. At one stage, India were reeling at 51 for 5, a position few would have anticipated at the start of the innings. From there, things went from bad to worse, with the scoreboard reading a worrying 88 for 8 as wickets tumbled in quick succession.

The hosts were eventually bundled out for 111 in 18.5 overs, suffering a 76-run defeat.

Also READ: Fans troll Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma after viral reaction to his dismissal vs South Africa in T20 World Cup Super 8

In the aftermath of India’s crushing 76-run defeat against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, one question dominated post-match discussions: why was vice-captain Axar Patel left out in favour of Washington Sundar?

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate fronted the media to provide a detailed explanation of the tactical thinking behind the controversial selection call that backfired spectacularly.

Axar Patel vs Washington Sundar: Powerplay bowling, match-ups and the Rinku Singh factor

Ten Doeschate revealed that the team management spent considerable time deliberating over the playing XI in the lead-up to the match, with the final decision centered on specific match-up considerations against South Africa’s left-handed batters .

“A key part of today’s strategy was how well he (Washington) has bowled in the powerplay in T20 cricket,” ten Doeschate explained at the post-match press conference. “The idea was to go in with three frontline bowlers plus Washington, with two others sharing the fifth-bowler’s role. Winning the powerplay was going to be crucial. We had envisaged Washington bowling two overs up front, not necessarily being 30 for 3. That early position then gives you flexibility with the bat as well.” 

The coaching staff identified Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and David Miller as the primary threats, leading them to prefer an off-spinner over left-arm spinner Axar Patel for better match-ups against the left-handers.

Ten Doeschate emphasized that the decision was also influenced by the desire to maintain batting depth. “In hindsight, you could argue that leaving out a batter and playing an extra frontline bowler looks like the right decision. But, making decisions at that time, we felt we needed Rinku as an eighth batsman, so to speak. And the decision was based on that.” 

He stressed that Axar’s omission was in no way a reflection on his abilities or importance to the team. “It’s certainly not a reflection on Axar – his leadership and importance to the team are unquestioned. But this is the challenge we face almost every week: fitting 11 players into a squad of 15. It’s not easy, and we have to make sure we get it right for the next two Super Eight games.” 

“In hindsight, it looked like the wrong decision”: Ryan ten Doeschate

Perhaps most significantly, ten Doeschate candidly admitted that the selection call had not paid off. “We spent so much time in deliberating. We were looking at match-ups. Hindsight, it looked like the wrong decision. Take nothing away from Axar. Very disappointed,” he told reporters .

He elaborated on the thought process: “On balance, given that we expected most of the threat to come from left-handers, and that we wanted the extra batter, it came down to a straight choice between Washington and Axar. And we went with Washington.” 

Despite the clear tactical reasoning, the plan fell apart in execution. Sundar bowled just two overs, conceding 17 runs without taking a wicket, and was never utilized during the powerplay – the very phase for which he was supposedly selected .

With the bat, Sundar was promoted to No. 5 during India’s collapse but managed only 11 runs off 11 balls, failing to stabilize the innings . Ten Doeschate defended the promotion, explaining that Axar would have faced the same situation had he played. “If Axar had played in that team today, he would have walked in the same position at whatever we were, 20 for 3.”

India’s heavy left-handed batting order an area of concern

The defeat exposed deeper structural issues in India’s batting approach. Ten Doeschate acknowledged that teams have consistently exploited India’s left-handed heavy top order by opening with part-time off-spin.

Also READ: Fans react as South Africa crush India in the Super 8 clash at T20 World Cup 2026

“Four times now teams have opened with part-time spin against us and taken a wicket… that’s obviously something we have to look at,” he said. This has led to discussions about potentially bringing in Sanju Samson as a right-handed option at the top. “Do you stick with the guys who have performed over the last 18 months and are just short of runs now, or do you twist and bring in a right-hander at the top? That’s a discussion we’ll have over the next few days.”

Gautam Gambhir faces scrutiny

Head coach Gautam Gambhir faced significant criticism from fans and experts following the failed experiment. With India now needing to win both remaining Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies to keep their semifinal hopes alive, the team management must quickly resolve the selection dilemmas that contributed to their biggest-ever T20 World Cup defeat.

Also READ: Top 3 biggest run defeats for India in the T20 World Cup history

The high-octane atmosphere of the Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed a rare breach of professional composure during the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash on Sunday. In a tournament defined by its high stakes, the tension finally reached a breaking point during the 14th over of the South African innings. What began as a routine middle-over sequence transformed into a startling face-to-face confrontation between Washington Sundar and David Miller, two cricketers typically celebrated for their ‘ice-cold’ temperaments.

T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8: Washington Sundar and David Miller involved in heated verbal duel

The friction was ignited by a tactical grievance regarding the non-striker’s conduct. After Tristan Stubbs nudged a delivery for a single, Sundar became visibly incensed, accusing Miller of gaining an unfair advantage by leaving his crease before the ball was legally delivered.

Sundar immediately halted his follow-through to voice a sharp complaint to umpire Chris Gaffaney, gesturing toward the non-striker’s end to highlight Miller’s early movement. The Indian all-rounder’s frustration seemed rooted in the ‘spirit of the game’ debate, as he felt Miller was intentionally ‘backing up’ too far to shorten the distance for a quick run, a move that clearly rattled the bowler’s concentration during a critical phase of the innings.

The situation rapidly deteriorated from a formal complaint into a direct and aggressive shouting match between the two players. Miller, clearly unimpressed by Sundar’s accusations, approached the bowler with a quizzical and defiant stance, leading to a fiery exchange of words that continued even as the players headed toward their respective dugouts for the scheduled drinks break.

The intensity of the debate forced Ishan Kishan and the on-field umpires to physically step in and separate the duo. Even as Proteas captain Aiden Markram arrived to provide a calming influence, the animated gestures from both Sundar and Miller suggested a deep-seated disagreement that was not easily defused, marking one of the most hostile individual battles of the T20 World Cup so far.

Here’s the video: 

Heated Words Exchanged Between Miller And Washington Sundar 🌶️

Both are usually the calmest on the field, but this time even they couldn’t keep their cool 🔥

pic.twitter.com/QxsFiBhXkp

— CricketSanctum (@SanctumCricket) February 22, 2026

Also READ: Fans troll Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma after viral reaction to his dismissal vs South Africa in T20 World Cup Super 8

Miller and South Africa punishes Suryakumar Yadav’s side in Ahmedabad

While the altercation provided a brief moment of adrenaline for the Indian side, it ultimately proved to be a catalyst for South African aggression rather than a distraction. Miller channeled his frustration into a masterclass of power-hitting, blasting a decisive 63 off 35 balls to propel his team to a formidable total of 187/7. For India, the emotional energy spent in the confrontation yielded no tactical benefit; the hosts’ batting lineup ‘crumbled’ shortly after, failing to stitch together any meaningful partnerships. The resulting 76-run defeat exposed the fragility of India’s ‘attack-at-all-costs’ strategy and underscored the heavy price of losing focus during such high-pressure international fixtures.

Also READ: 3 reasons behind India’s crushing defeat against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was expected to be a fortress for India during the 43rd Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights on February 22, 2026. Instead, it became the backdrop for a humbling 76-run defeat at the hands of South Africa and a social media firestorm involving Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma. As India’s middle order crumbled under the pressure of a 188-run chase, a singular moment in the stands captured the internet’s attention for all the wrong reasons.

Mahieka Sharma’s reaction after Hardik Pandya’s dismissal goes viral

The defining image of the night wasn’t a soaring six, but rather Mahieka’s reaction to Hardik Pandya’s dismissal in the 15th over. With India reeling at 86/5, the onus was on Pandya to stage a miraculous recovery. However, facing Keshav Maharaj, Pandya attempted to flat-bat a wider delivery over long-off. The connection lacked power, allowing Tristan Stubbs to perform a sensational juggling act on the boundary rope to complete the catch.

As Pandya trudged back to the pavilion after a lackluster 18 off 17 balls, the cameras panned to Mahieka in the VIP stands. In a move that left commentators and fans baffled, she was seen enthusiastically applauding and smiling as if celebrating a milestone. The disconnect between the dire match situation and her cheerful reaction sparked an immediate wave of trolling. Cricket enthusiasts took to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest that Mahieka’s “clueless” celebration proved she lacked a basic understanding of the game’s stakes.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Actually i think she don’t know that his Hardik Pandya is out . #indvssa #savsind #suryakumaryadav #ICCT20WorldCup2026 #HardikPandya #hard https://t.co/PfOsJqO33c

— Akbar Sardar (@akbarsardar156) February 23, 2026

She knows ball!!! https://t.co/IVprIDOhu5

— Josh (@HomelanderBale) February 23, 2026

I also noticed 😂😂 https://t.co/eRLGmPIg6A

— CricketLover (@iamsaurabb) February 23, 2026

didi 18 runs ke liye taali baja rahi thi par uko kon bataye ki T20 me strike rate dekha jata hai. 😭😭 https://t.co/seZ7knjgtz

— Prince. (@merii_mrziii) February 23, 2026

Arrange marriage is scary what if she 😭 https://t.co/cfiy3VEPMp

— Alee (@alee_shah17) February 23, 2026

😭 https://t.co/mDRYAIYcgC

— Varma (@HV_2224) February 23, 2026

Bro accidentally picked up the girl who doesn’t have cricket sense from bar https://t.co/MTOZ5qJPf4

— “ (@peekaboo_pr) February 23, 2026

Hardik got out and Mahieka was literally clapping at his wicket 😭👏

pic.twitter.com/JDqVWWyuxw

— CricketSanctum (@SanctumCricket) February 22, 2026

That’s why you guys are single in your life. https://t.co/GRqoKTiKBm

— Rohan Gangta (@rohangangta) February 23, 2026

Noticed Hardik gets out like this a lot https://t.co/AFWw1PfGIZ

— Ani (@annakacarrom) February 23, 2026

Also READ: 3 reasons behind India’s crushing defeat against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

South Africa thrash India in the crucial Super 8 encounter

While social media was fixated on the stands, the action on the pitch was a one-sided affair. South Africa posted a formidable 187/7, fueled by a blistering 63 off 35 balls from Player of the Match, David Miller. Despite early breakthroughs by Jasprit Bumrah (3/15) and Arshdeep Singh, the Proteas middle order capitalized on expensive spells from Pandya and Shivam Dube. Tristan Stubbs provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 44, setting a target that proved insurmountable for the Men in Blue.

Marco Jansen dismantled the top order with figures of 4/22, while Maharaj’s three-wicket haul including the controversial dismissal of Pandya, effectively ended the contest. India lost their final five wickets for just 25 runs, crashing to a 76-run defeat. The loss leaves India’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread, while South Africa moves to the top of Group 1 with a statement victory that combined clinical bowling with Miller’s trademark power-hitting.

Also READ: South Africa crush India as David Miller, bowlers run riot in Super 8 clash at T20 World Cup 2026

In what was billed as a blockbuster rematch of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, India’s aura of invincibility was shattered as South Africa handed the defending champions a staggering 76-run defeat in their Super 8 opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The loss snapped India’s remarkable 12-match winning streak in T20 World Cups and marked their biggest-ever defeat in the tournament’s history, surpassing the 49-run loss to Australia in 2010. Chasing a target of 188, the hosts were bundled out for a paltry 111 in 18.5 overs, raising serious questions about the team’s preparation and approach.

Three primary reasons behind India’s big defeat against South Africa

1. Catastrophic top-order failure exposes batting frailties

India’s much-vaunted batting lineup, which had scraped through the group stage against weaker opponents, collapsed spectacularly against quality bowling on a black-soil surface where the ball was gripping . The problems began in the very first over when captain Aiden Markram removed the in-form Ishan Kishan for a four-ball duck with a delivery that stopped on him, forcing an ugly cross-batted hoick.

Tilak Varma’s wretched tournament continued as he lasted just two balls, charging at Marco Jansen and paying the price while also wasting a DRS review. Abhishek Sharma finally ended his hat-trick of ducks but looked completely out of sorts before falling to Jansen for 15. At 26 for 3 inside the powerplay, the chase was effectively dead.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles on difficult surfaces continued as he managed just 18 off 22 balls before flicking one straight to mid-wicket, unable to get the ball off the square on a tricky track. The top-order’s inability to build partnerships left India reeling at 51 for 5 by the 10th over, with the required run rate climbing beyond reach. Suryakumar admitted after the match: “You can’t win the game in the powerplay, but you might lose the game in the powerplay. We lost too many wickets in the powerplay and then we couldn’t have small partnerships.”

2. Debatable selection call: Axar Patel’s omission backfires 

Perhaps the most criticized aspect of India’s defeat was the decision to leave out vice-captain Axar Patel in favour of Washington Sundar. The move, based on “match-ups” against left-handers as explained by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, backfired catastrophically as Sundar contributed neither with bat nor ball.

Ten Doeschate explained the tactical rationale: “We were kind of looking at matchups more in the middle. And then obviously, someone has to give way… we felt we needed Rinku, as an eighth batsman, so to speak.” However, the decision looked even more puzzling when Sundar was sent in at No. 5 after the initial collapse – a role that Axar has played effectively for India.

The move drew sharp criticism from experts and fans. Sundar’s lack of recent match practice and his inability to make an impact proved costly as India’s middle-order fragility was fully exposed.

3. Loss of intensity after early breakthroughs allows South Africa recovery

Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance – his 3 for 15 made him India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history – the team failed to capitalize on a sensational start that reduced South Africa to 20 for 3 inside four overs.

Instead of piling on pressure, the intensity in India’s bowling visibly dropped, allowing David Miller and Dewald Brevis to stitch a match-turning 97-run partnership off just 51 balls . Miller’s 63 off 35 and Brevis’ 45 off 29 completely shifted momentum, with the duo expertly assessing the conditions and rebuilding the innings.

Also READ: Fans react as South Africa crush India in Super 8 clash at T20 World Cup 2026

South Africa captain Aiden Markram later highlighted this partnership as decisive: “I think first and foremost was that partnership. The guys were great, put that together for us, steadied the ship and kept us in the game. I thought our batting through the middle was probably the difference.” 

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, so effective in the group stage, was taken for 47 runs in his four overs as South African batters neutralized him with aplomb. What should have been a total under 160 became a daunting 188, and India’s overconfident approach after the early breakthroughs proved costly.

With the Net Run Rate plummeting to -3.800, India now faces must-win battles against Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai and the West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Also READ: India vs …? Rahul Dravid reveals dream final for T20 World Cup 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 is reaching its business end, and the excitement is palpable as the Super 8 stage kicks off. Amidst the high-voltage clashes, former Indian head coach and legendary batter Rahul Dravid has shared a refreshing perspective on his ideal scenario for the tournament’s climax. While the world often anticipates a repeat of traditional rivalries, Dravid has voiced his support for a narrative that could reshape the global cricketing landscape.

Rahul Dravid reveals his dream final in T20 World Cup 2026

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Dravid revealed that his “dream final” involves more than just a win for the Men in Blue. While he admitted he would happily take “India versus anybody,” he expressed a heartfelt desire to see a lesser-fancied nation reach the summit clash alongside India. Dravid specifically highlighted Zimbabwe as a team he would love to see in the final at Ahmedabad on March 8.

“I would take India versus anybody. India versus Zimbabwe? That would be great for Zimbabwe cricket. It would be amazing if Zimbabwe could make it,” Dravid remarked.

Dravid’s comments aren’t just sentimental; they are grounded in the stellar performances of associate and rising nations in this edition. Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, has been the tournament’s “giant killer,” securing historic group-stage victories over former champions Australia and Sri Lanka.

The former coach praised the “fantastic cricket” played by these teams, noting that the emergence of such talent is the defining story of the 2026 World Cup. Even for teams that didn’t make the Super 8s, Dravid emphasized that their fearlessness has been a major boost for the sport’s global appeal.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Dinesh Karthik picks his semifinalists; includes India and three other powerhouses

Dravid on India’s potential in the world event

Switching focus to the defending champions, Dravid expressed immense confidence in the side currently led by Suryakumar Yadav. He pointed out that India’s greatest strength in 2026 is its squad depth, which ensures the team isn’t over-reliant on just one or two star performers.

However, ever the pragmatist, Dravid warned that T20 remains the most “volatile format” of the game. He urged the Indian team to stick to their processes and maintain their focus, reminding fans that in a knockout scenario, a single bad day can change everything.

“They are doing really well. They have been playing some fantastic cricket in the last couple of years. As the tournament goes towards the Super 8s, and you get into the knockout, I think it obviously gets defined by a few critical moments. I think the great advantage that India has is that we are not relying on 1-2 people. We have got great depth in the side. So you would expect that depth to come through. But of course, it is Twenty20 cricket; there is an unknown in Twenty20 cricket. It is the most volatile format of the game, and on any given day, as I have learnt as well as a coach, you can lose. Stick to the process and do what you can and hope for the best,” added Dravid.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Harbhajan Singh predicts Team India’s playing XI for Super 8 clash against South Africa

The stage is set for a high-octane T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Both Zimbabwe and the West Indies arrive in Mumbai carrying the momentum of unbeaten runs in the group stages, but as the tournament enters the business end, the margin for error has evaporated.

Zimbabwe have been the team of 2026 so far, upsetting giants like Australia and Sri Lanka to claim their spot here. Meanwhile, the Windies have been clinical, dismantling opposition with a blend of Caribbean flair and calculated aggression.

The Men in Maroon are playing with a point to prove energy. Shai Hope has been the anchor, while Shimron Hetmyer is striking the ball at a frightening rate (SR 174.76). Their depth is their greatest weapon; even if the top order fails, they have finishers like Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd who can clear the Wankhede ropes with ease.

Under Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe have found a new level of tactical maturity. They don’t just rely on individual brilliance; they build pressure through disciplined bowling and clever field placements. Brian Bennett has been a revelation at the top, and in Blessing Muzarabani, they have a world-class pacer who can use the Wankhede bounce to extract steep climb.

ZIM vs WI, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 23 (Monday); 07:00 pm IST / 1:30 am GMT
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

ZIM vs WI, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 04| Zimbabwe won: 01 | West Indies won: 03 | No result: 0

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report

The Wankhede Stadium is set to be a “belter” for the night clash. True to its reputation, the pitch features a hard, flat surface with even bounce that allows batters to play through the line. Short square boundaries and a lightning-fast outfield make scores above 185 the minimum target.

While pacers may find early swing from the Arabian Sea breeze, the primary challenge for bowlers will be the heavy dew expected in the second innings. This makes the ball difficult for spinners to grip and hands a massive advantage to the chasing team.

Squads

West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson, Johnson Charles

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Dinesh Karthik picks his semifinalists; includes India and three other powerhouses

ZIM vs WI, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Zimbabwe wins the toss and bowls first
• West Indies powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• West Indies total score: 200-210

Case 2:

• West Indies wins the toss and bowls first
• Zimbabwe powerplay score: 60-70 (6 overs)
• Zimbabwe total score: 210-220

Match result: Zimbabwe to win the contest.

Also READ: Ex-BCB official unveils how Bangladesh cricket chief fell into Mohsin Naqvi’s trap over T20 World Cup withdrawal

The state government of Bihar awarded Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a Rs 50 lakh check on Sunday, February 22. The 14-year-old batter attended a felicitation program at the Chief Minister’s house, where he received the prize money.

Vaibhav received the check in the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh.

A glittering evening in Patna

According to media reports, Sports Department Secretary Mahendra Kumar, Director General of Bihar State Sports Authority Ravindran Shankar, along with other senior officials, Bihar Cricket Association representative Rakesh Tiwari, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s father Sanjeev Suryavanshi, brothers Ujjwal and Aashirwad Suryavanshi, and Abhijeet D’Souza were also present on the occasion.

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It was a reward for the successful U-19 ODI World Cup campaign, where the emerging batter led the team from the front to claim the trophy. It was India‘s sixth U-19 World Cup title. Ayush Mhatre was the captain of the team, but the limelight remained on the Bihar-born because of his phenomenal form throughout the tournament.

175 off 80 by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the final of U-19 World Cup

In the summit clash of the competition, where India was up against England Under-19, Sooryavanshi registered an astonishing century for a winning effort. He needed only 55 balls to complete the century, which prolonged for 175 runs off 80 balls, comprising 15 fours and sixes each. It was one of the best knocks in the history of the U-19 World Cup and U-19 ODI cricket as well.

Through the lightning-fast 175-run knock, the southpaw shattered multiple records to cement his name in the record book, which will remain untouched for a long time. Not only in the final, but also Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was in clutch form since the beginning of the tournament.

Sooryavanshi was named as the player of the tournament for securing 439 runs in seven matches at an eye-catching strike rate of 169.50 and an average of 62.71. In the process, the opener smashed a total of 30 sixes, which was the highest in the tournament.

List of 5 notable records Vaibhav Sooryavanshi broke into the final of the 2026 U-19 World Cup. Final:

1. The 175-run knock now holds the highest individual score for India in Under-19 World Cups.

2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi registers his name as the first batter to hit 15 sixes in an innings of Youth ODI.

3. Sooryavanshi needed only 71 balls to complete his 150, which is the fastest individual 150 in the history of the Youth ODIs.

4. The 55-ball century is the second fastest hundred scored by any individual in the Under-19 World Cup after Will Malajczuk’s 51-ball century.

5. Sooryavanshi hit 110 sixes in the Youth ODIs in 25 innings, which is now the all-time best.

Read More: Mohsin Naqvi’s Pakistan ready to damage India’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final plans in Mumbai

A heated moment between Washington Sundar and David Miller took place during the drinks break of South Africa’s innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav and the umpire stepped into the spot to cool down the moment.

On Sunday (February 22), India faced South Africa for their opening match of the Super 8 match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Both of the teams qualified in this phase of the tournament as the group toppers of their respective groups.

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh took three early wickets

Ahead of the match, Team India, the defending champion and the co-host of the 2026 T20 World Cup, was considered the favorite to win the match. Though, multiple cricket experts predicted that the Proteas had enough firepower to break India’s undisputed streak in the competition.

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Winning the toss, South Africa went to bat first. In the initial stage of the first innings, Indian bowlers were at the top of their game, thanks to a brilliant spell by the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

Both of the seamers quickly dismissed the top 3 batters of the South African lineup. While Bumrah clinched the scalps of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, Singh took the wicket of South Africa captain Aiden Markram.

South Africa bounced back timely

With 3 batters down, Dewald Brevis, whose form was under scrutiny before the match, and experienced batter David Miller dragged the team into the contest. Brevis missed a well-deserved half-century only by 5 runs. The emerging batter registered 45 off 29 with 3 fours and three 6s. On the other end, Miller delivered a 63-run knock off 35 balls, followed by Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 44.

After the 14th over, during the drinks break of the innings, the situation got tense when the Indian spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar and Miller got involved in a heated conversation. Both cricketers were spotted throwing words at each other. The situation got settled after the interference made by Yadav and the umpire.

How did Washington Sundar and David Miller involve themselves in the situation?

But how did they find themselves in the situation? It is believed that Miller, who was in the non-striker’s end, was repeatedly going out of the crease, which might have forced Washington Sundar to throw some comments on the opposing batter. In reply, the batter also did not choose to hold back.

Washington Sundar got to play the crucial match against South Africa in place of the vice-captain, Axar Patel, who is another spin-bowling all-rounder in the squad.

Sundar’s inclusion did not prove effective enough for the Men in Blue, as he remained wicketless after delivering only 2 overs, leaking 17 runs at an economy rate of 8.5. Despite early setbacks, South Africa bounced back well and put a total of 187 runs in 20 overs.

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South Africa, on Sunday (February 22), handed the India a 76-run defeat at the Narendra Modi Stadium to kickstart their Super 8 campaign in style.

During the first innings of the match, when South Africa was on the batting side and India was on the bowling end, the contest was in a nice balance. In the second innings, India’s fragile batting made South Africa’s path to gain a crucial win easy.

Aiden Markram praised Indian bowlers

After the match, Aiden Markram, the skipper of the South African National cricket team, praised his batters for making the difference between the two teams. Markram acknowledges India’s bowling efforts as well, especially during the powerplays and slog overs. But it was the Proteas batters who were at the top of their game tonight.

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“They bowled well up front and at the death, but our batting through the middle was probably the difference. Good effort, but we put two down. The other day against UAE, we were not as connected. That was much better today,” Markram said.

The pitch was not easy to bat: South Africa captain

The winning team captain also stated that the wicket was not easy enough to take shots. The surface was new for them, but the middle-order batters were fast enough to read the pitch timely. As soon as the batters got accustomed to the deck, they delivered.

“Great performance. A different type of wicket from what we have had here. Boys assessed that early and then adapted to their plans. Happy for the bowlers. The start to the competition was tough, but tonight they were brilliant,” the skipper added.

Markram mentioned Dewald Brevis and David Miller for their match turning knocks vs India

Markram specially mentioned Dewald Brevis and David Miller for their crucial partnership after sustaining multiple early blows. Brevis scored 45 off 29, and Miller got 63 runs in 35 balls, which set the tone for the Proteas. Later, Tristan Stubbs walked into the middle to add an unbeaten 44 runs to secure a total of 187 in the first innings, which was enough to outplay India.

“The partnership they (Dewald Brevis and David Miller) put up kept us in the game. Did not feel like the ball was travelling. It was a bit spongy. Trying to hit into space and run hard,” Aiden Markram said.

Chasing the total of 188, India bundled for only 111 in 18.5 overs and allowed South Africa to win the match by 76 runs. Marco Jansen, with 4 wickets and a 5.74 economy rate, was the best bowler in this match.

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