BCCI authority mocked as Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel closed team bus after loss to South Africa

Fresh drama hit the Indian national cricket team just a day after the crushing defeat to South Africa in their first Super 8 match of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup on Sunday, February 22.

Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel reach the airport separately

After the 76-run loss to South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and vice-captain Axar Patel were seen separately as they reached Ahmedabad airport on Monday, February 23. The photos and clips went viral on social media within minutes.

Interestingly, the rest of India’s World Cup squad traveled together in the team bus as they arrived at Ahmedabad International Airport to leave for Chennai for their next do-or-die Super 8 match against Zimbabwe on February 26 at the M. Chidambaram Stadium.

Also read: ‘South Africa has broken India’s pride’: Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar celebrate and mock Gautam Gambhir & Co.

This created huge buzz on social media. Many started wondering if all was well in the Indian camp after the shock defeat to the runners-up in the previous edition. Reports confirmed that Bumrah arrived at the airport in his private vehicle.

However, it wasn’t that shocking as Jasprit Bumrah lives in the Goyal Intercity area of ​​Ahmedabad. When India play in Ahmedabad, Jasprit Bumrah often travels separately. During India’s heavy defeat, Jasprit Bumrah was a standout performer, taking 3/15 in his four overs against Proteas.

The omission of Axar Patel adds even more fuel to the buzz

On the other hand, Axar belongs to Nadiad, which is about 60 km from Ahmedabad. There are strong indications that both Bumrah and Axar spent time with their families after the heavy defeat to South Africa before rejoining the Indian squad at the airport for the flight to Chennai.

Yet the timing of this separate trip has added more fuel to the fire after a heavy loss and mounting pressure, especially with the all-rounder being surprisingly dropped from the 11th match against South Africa. Washington Sundar was chosen over Axar for the Super 8 match in Ahmedabad.

Jasprit Bumrah arrived at Ahmedabad Airport in a separate car, Team India was yet to arrive. #INDvsSA #T20World Cup pic.twitter.com/h0mWW3gDQo

— Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) February 23, 2026

David Miller destroys India in Ahmedabad

Meanwhile, David Miller turned back the clock to knock India out of contention in a high-pressure Super 8 match at the 2026 T20 World Cup. South Africa opted to bat first and recovered strongly after early trouble. Miller played a brilliant knock of 63 runs from just 35 balls.

Also read: Michael Vaughan gives ‘belt treatment’ to Gautam Gambhir & Co. for dropping Axar Patel

Young Dewald Brevis supported Miller well with 45 runs off 29 balls. They added 97 runs for the fourth wicket in just 51 balls and completely changed the game. South Africa posted a strong total of 187 for 7 on the board, thanks to the explosive partnership of Miller and Brevis.

In response, India’s chase looked shaky from the start. The team struggled to build partnerships and continued to lose wickets. South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen led the attack with 4 wickets for 22 runs. Senior spinner Keshav Maharaj took 3 for 24 and kept the pressure on in the middle overs.

Corbin Bosch also posted a score of 2 for 12 as India were bowled out for just 111 in 18.5 overs. Shivam Dube tried to fight back with 42 runs off 37 balls but did not get enough support from the other batters as they suffered a crushing defeat in Ahmedabad.