Tensions flared between Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube during their opening Super 8 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The two senior players were seen exchanging words during the contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, suffered a heavy 76-run defeat against South Africa, led by Aiden Markram. The loss marked India’s first defeat in an ICC T20 event since their 10-wicket loss to England in the semifinal of the 2022 T20 World Cup, putting their qualification hopes for the semifinals under pressure.
Tune Hi Toh Bola Tha – Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube Involved in Heated Exchange
The incident happened in the 11th over of South Africa’s innings after Suryakumar Yadav brought Shivam Dube into the attack. Before the over began, Dube suggested a small field change, asking long-on to come straighter and long-off to move wider.
Later in the same over, Dewald Brevis hit Dube for a boundary straight down the ground. Dube looked frustrated after the shot and reacted towards his captain over the field placement.
Suryakumar responded by saying that the field had been set based on Dube’s own suggestion, which led to a visible exchange between the two senior players.
Suryakumar Yadav said: “Tune hi toh bola tha” (the fielding was set by you only).
— crictalk (@crictalk7) February 23, 2026
Shivam Dube Struggles as South Africa Post 187
Shivam Dube struggled with the ball, conceding 15 runs in his first over. Although he dismissed Dewald Brevis in his next over, he gave away another 17 runs and finished with figures of 1 for 32 from two overs.
South Africa posted 187 for 7 after batting first, recovering well from 20 for 3. David Miller led the charge with 63 off 35 balls, while Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs added quick 40s in the middle order.
Jasprit Bumrah was the best bowler for India with excellent figures of 3 for 15 in four overs. He made early inroads in the powerplay along with Arshdeep Singh, but the effort was not enough as India’s winning streak ended with the Super 8 defeat.
India’s Unbeaten T20 World Cup Run Ends After South Africa Loss
Chasing 188, India slipped to 5 for 2 and then 51 for 5. Shivam Dube was the top scorer with 42 runs, but he took 37 balls, and the chase never gained momentum as India were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also struggled for timing, scoring 18 off 22 balls after coming in early.
The heavy defeat in their opening Super 8 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has left the Men in Blue in a must-win situation, with victories now required against Zimbabwe and the West Indies.
The result marked India’s first defeat in an ICC white-ball tournament since their loss to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. It also ended India’s unbeaten run in T20 World Cup matches, which had stretched to 12 consecutive wins.
Also read: Tilak Varma is India’s biggest T20I problem – It’s time Gautam Gambhir brings back Shreyas Iyer
