Tension escalated between Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dubey during their opening Super 8 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The two senior players were seen exchanging words during the competition at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22.
Team India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, had to face a heavy defeat of 76 runs against the South African team captained by Aiden Markram. The defeat is India’s first defeat in an ICC T20 competition since their 10-wicket loss to England in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, putting their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals under pressure.
You were the one who said it – Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dubey involved in heated argument
The incident occurred in the 11th over of South Africa’s innings when Suryakumar Yadav brought Shivam Dubey into the attack. Before the over began, Dubey suggested a small fielding change, asking long-on to come straight and long-off to move wide.
Later in the same over, Dewald Brevis hit Dubey for a four straight down the ground. Dubey looked disappointed after the shot and reacted to his captain over the field placement.
Suryakumar responded by saying that the field was set based on Dubey’s own suggestion, which led to a candid exchange between the two senior players.
Suryakumar Yadav said: “Tune hi to bola tha” (You were the one who set the fielding).
– Crictalk (@crictalk7) 23 February 2026
Shivam Dubey is struggling for South Africa after scoring 187 runs.
Shivam Dubey struggled with the ball and gave away 15 runs in his first over. Although he dismissed Dewald Brevis in his next over, he conceded 17 more runs and took 1 for 32 in two overs.
Batting first, South Africa made a good recovery from 20 for 3 and scored 187 runs for 7 wickets. David Miller led the innings with 63 runs from 35 balls, while Dewald Brewis and Tristan Stubbs added a quick 40 runs in the middle order.
Jasprit Bumrah was the best bowler for India with 3 wickets for 15 runs in four overs. He took an early lead in the powerplay with Arshdeep Singh, but the effort was not enough as India’s winning streak ended with a Super 8 defeat.
India’s unbeaten campaign in T20 World Cup ends after South Africa’s defeat
Chasing 188, India slipped to 5 for 2 and then to 51 for 5. Shivam Dubey was the top scorer with 42 runs, but he played 37 balls, and never gained momentum in the chase as India were all out for 111 in 18.5 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also struggled for timing and after coming in early, he scored 18 runs in 22 balls.
A 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, now requiring wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies.
The result is India’s first defeat in an ICC white-ball tournament since their loss to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. This also ended India’s unbeaten streak in T20 World Cup matches, which had reached 12 consecutive wins.
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