On-field drama! David Miller and Washington Sundar locked in heated exchange - Watch

St. Lucia, June 2025 — India’s T20 World Cup title defence took a double hit on Thursday night: a bruising 76-run defeat to South Africa and a mid-pitch flare-up that briefly stole the spotlight from the scoreboard.

The flashpoint arrived in the 14th over of the Proteas innings, moments after Tristan Stubbs nudged a single to leg. David Miller, sprinting back for the second, was accused by Washington Sundar of leaving the non-striker’s crease prematurely. Sundar immediately appealed to umpire Chris Gaffaney; Miller, unbeaten on 63 off 35, wheeled around to confront the Indian all-rounder. Words were exchanged, bodies squared up, and Gaffaney had to step between the two before the situation escalated.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram intervened at the drinks break, guiding Miller away and restoring calm. The precise trigger—whether a warning, a threat of a mankad, or simply a heat-of-the-moment accusation—was never clarified, and the tension dissolved as quickly as it had erupted. Miller’s innings ended two balls later, holing out in the deep, but the damage had been done: South Africa finished on 187 for 7, a total that proved mountainous on a two-paced surface.

India’s reply never left the runway. Ishan Kishan, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was bowled first ball and the chase unravelled at 111 all out. The result leaves Rohit Sharma’s side scrambling to stay alive in the Super 8, their net run-rate dented and their composure—like Miller’s—momentarily lost.

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