There aren’t too many heated moments when India take on South Africa. But, on February 22, tempers flared in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 game at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Washington Sundar and David Miller were involved in a heated altercation and umpires had to intervene to prevent the matter from escalating any further.
The incident took place after the last ball of the 14th over. Tristan Stubbs played the ball towards mid-wicket for a single. Sundar did not seem pleased with Miller by either running in the area where the rough is often created or him leaving the crease early. He complained to the umpire and later had a verbal spat with the experienced Proteas campaigner.
By then, Miller had already done the damage. He was batting on 57 off just 31 deliveries. He went on to score 63 runs from 35 balls, eventually losing his wicket to Varun Chakravarthy in the 16th over.
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It is yet to be seen whether the International Cricket Council (ICC) finds them breaching the Code of Conduct.
Sundar’s ordinary show vs South Africa
While Miller was named ‘Player of the match’, Sundar delivered lacklustre performance despite being picked ahead of Axar Patel. He remained wicketless, conceding 17 runs from two overs. In the run chase, he walked out to bat at no.5 and managed to contribute with a run-a-ball 11. He lost his wicket to Corbin Bosch in an attempt to play the ball through the off side.
Why Sundar was picked in playing XI vs South Africa?
Sundar’s inclusion has sparked debate as Patel was benched. The assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the plan was to use his off-spin against left-handers of South Africa. But, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton departed early and Sundar was introduced after powerplay overs. Even with Miller in the middle, Sundar did not continue. The partnership between Miller and Dewald Brevis brought South Africa back in the game after losing early wickets.
Sundar’s T20I record s Zimbabwe
The team management may make Sundar sit out of the side and bring back Patel for the must-win clash against Zimbabwe on February 26 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
He has eight wickets from five T20Is against Zimbabwe at an average of 11.62. His economy rate against them is 5.16 runs per over. With the bat, he has 28 runs from two innings at a strike rate of 80.