Faf du Plessis targets India: India suffered a humiliating 76-run defeat at the hands of South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With this defeat, India’s 12-match winning streak in the T20 World Cup ended. Despite falling to 20/3 the Proteas came out in full force; They did not give any chance to India while they were chasing the target of 188 runs.
After the defeat, former South African captain Faf du Plessis took a jibe. The former captain has been a part of the ESPNcricinfo panel for the T20 World Cup 2026. Faf du Plessis was there along with former India fast bowler Varun Aaron.
He has played there, yes, he has played there a lot over the years – Faf du Plessis
The host and the two former cricketers were discussing how South Africa are adapting to the conditions, having played three of their group stage matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, this is no excuse after a loss; This has been India’s home ground and they should have assessed the conditions well.
Speaking on the post-match show, Faf du Plessis said, “They have played there, yes, they have played there a lot over the last few years.”
The host replied, “Some big games. They don’t seem to be winning a lot of big games out there.” Then, Faf du Plessis said, “Is this the last time we see him play there?”
Here is the video
Faf’s polite question #timeout | #INDvSA | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Qm4bXKTwXE
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 23 February 2026
Faf du Plessis’s comments were a dig at India as he said that this would probably be the last time India will be playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium as they will not qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 final.
Is Narendra Modi Stadium doomed for India?
It was a similar story last night as Suryakumar Yadav’s side could turn fortunes at this venue, ending the India national cricket team’s 17-match winning streak in ICC tournaments since the 2024 T20 World Cup. It has been a tough experience at this place.
India have lost only twice in 28 matches in the last four ICC tournaments, both at the same stadium. Now the question arises in the minds of the fans whether Narendra Modi Stadium is a curse for the Indian national cricket team?
However, from a cricketing point of view, the Men in Blue were completely outclassed against Aiden Markram’s team, who planned well and executed them properly despite an early collapse of 20/3. David Miller’s show took the game away from India over the weekend. The southpaw played an inning of 63 runs in 35 balls and showed controlled aggression.
India’s batting collapse problem continues
While chasing the target, India lost its most in-form batsman Ishan Kishan for a duck in the very first over. After that, the batting order collapsed like a house of cards as half the team came back inside the dressing room with the score at 51/5. At one time 100 runs seemed impossible.
Although Shivam Dubey’s knock of 42 off 37 balls helped India cross the hundred-run mark, they did not get support from the other end and thus were all out for 111 runs in 18.5 overs.
Also Read: ‘South Africa breaks India’s pride’: Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar celebrate, mercilessly mock Gautam Gambhir & Co.