A promotional video released by an Indian broadcaster ahead of the high-profile T20 World Cup Super 8 clash between India and South Africa has backfired spectacularly, leaving Indian fans and the broadcaster red-faced.
In the match played on Sunday, South Africa defeated India by 76 runs.
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Chasing a target of 188, the Indian team was bowled out for just 111 runs, marking India’s biggest defeat by runs in T20 World Cup history.
Previously, India’s biggest loss in the tournament was a 49-run defeat against Australia in 2010.
The controversial promo, released before the match, used a “cupcake” analogy to portray South Africa as weak and India as strong, while claiming India would repeat their success from 2024.
READ: Where to watch ICC T20 world cup 2026 Live?
In the video, an Indian and a South African fan are shown at a restaurant, reaching for cupcakes on the table.
ofcourse they’ve decided to delete the tweet but @StarSportsIndia deserves this humiliation. if they had an iota of integrity, they would issue an apology to South Africa. unbridled arrogance. the game always finds a way to humble those who think they are bigger than the game 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/3QCM3DFw1u
— CaniZ (@caniyaar) February 22, 2026
The South African fan takes the cupcake first and says “Sorry,” while the Indian fan responds confidently, recalling India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win and claiming they would also win the upcoming Super 8 match.
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The promo also boasted that India would “repeat the 2024 history” and defeat South Africa again.
However, after the loss, social media users heavily criticized the video.
I just knew we were gonna get humiliated by South Africa from the moment Star Sports made that cringe ad. #INDvSA #T20WorldCup
— Prantik (@Pran__07) February 22, 2026
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The broadcaster deleted the promo, but users mocked it further, calling the defeat “the result of arrogance.”
One user commented: “They may have deleted the tweet, but the broadcaster fully deserved this embarrassment. If they had any integrity, they would have formally apologized to South Africa.”
ofcourse they’ve decided to delete the tweet but @StarSportsIndia deserves this humiliation. if they had an iota of integrity, they would issue an apology to South Africa. unbridled arrogance. the game always finds a way to humble those who think they are bigger than the game 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/3QCM3DFw1u
— CaniZ (@caniyaar) February 22, 2026
India’s crushing defeat has made their path to the semi-finals in Super 8 Group 1 much harder.
Group 1 includes South Africa, India, West Indies, and Zimbabwe, with the top two teams qualifying for the semi-finals.
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The loss has also severely affected India’s net run rate, which currently stands at minus three.
