The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was anticipated to be a fortress for India throughout the forty third Match of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup Tremendous Eights on February 22, 2026. As a substitute, it grew to become the backdrop for a humbling 76-run defeat by the hands of South Africa and a social media firestorm involving Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma. As India’s center order crumbled beneath the strain of a 188-run chase, a singular second within the stands captured the web’s consideration for all of the improper causes.
Mahieka Sharma’s response after Hardik Pandya’s dismissal goes viral
The defining picture of the evening wasn’t a hovering six, however moderately Mahieka’s response to Hardik Pandya’s dismissal within the fifteenth over. With India reeling at 86/5, the onus was on Pandya to stage a miraculous restoration. Nonetheless, going through Keshav Maharaj, Pandya tried to flat-bat a wider supply over long-off. The connection lacked energy, permitting Tristan Stubbs to carry out a sensational juggling act on the boundary rope to finish the catch.
As Pandya trudged again to the pavilion after a lackluster 18 off 17 balls, the cameras panned to Mahieka within the VIP stands. In a transfer that left commentators and followers baffled, she was seen enthusiastically applauding and smiling as if celebrating a milestone. The disconnect between the dire match scenario and her cheerful response sparked an instantaneous wave of trolling. Cricket fanatics took to X (previously Twitter) to recommend that Mahieka’s “clueless” celebration proved she lacked a primary understanding of the sport’s stakes.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Truly i feel she do not know that his Hardik Pandya is out . #indvssa #savsind #suryakumaryadav #ICCT20WorldCup2026 #HardikPandya #onerous https://t.co/PfOsJqO33c
— Akbar Sardar (@akbarsardar156) February 23, 2026
She is aware of ball!!! https://t.co/IVprIDOhu5
— Josh (@HomelanderBale) February 23, 2026
I additionally observed 😂😂 https://t.co/eRLGmPIg6A
— CricketLover (@iamsaurabb) February 23, 2026
didi 18 runs ke liye taali baja rahi thi par uko kon bataye ki T20 me strike fee dekha jata hai. 😭😭 https://t.co/seZ7knjgtz
— Prince. (@merii_mrziii) February 23, 2026
Organize marriage is horrifying what if she 😭 https://t.co/cfiy3VEPMp
— Alee (@alee_shah17) February 23, 2026
😭 https://t.co/mDRYAIYcgC
— Varma (@HV_2224) February 23, 2026
Bro by chance picked up the lady who doesn’t have cricket sense from bar https://t.co/MTOZ5qJPf4
— “ (@peekaboo_pr) February 23, 2026
Hardik obtained out and Mahieka was actually clapping at his wicket 😭👏
— CricketSanctum (@SanctumCricket) February 22, 2026
That’s why you guys are single in your life. https://t.co/GRqoKTiKBm
— Rohan Gangta (@rohangangta) February 23, 2026
Observed Hardik will get out like this lots https://t.co/AFWw1PfGIZ
— Ani (@annakacarrom) February 23, 2026
Additionally READ: 3 causes behind India’s crushing defeat in opposition to South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 Tremendous 8 conflict
South Africa thrash India within the essential Tremendous 8 encounter
Whereas social media was fixated on the stands, the motion on the pitch was a one-sided affair. South Africa posted a formidable 187/7, fueled by a blistering 63 off 35 balls from Participant of the Match, David Miller. Regardless of early breakthroughs by Jasprit Bumrah (3/15) and Arshdeep Singh, the Proteas center order capitalized on costly spells from Pandya and Shivam Dube. Tristan Stubbs supplied the ultimate flourish with an unbeaten 44, setting a goal that proved insurmountable for the Males in Blue.
Marco Jansen dismantled the highest order with figures of 4/22, whereas Maharaj’s three-wicket haul together with the controversial dismissal of Pandya, successfully ended the competition. India misplaced their last 5 wickets for simply 25 runs, crashing to a 76-run defeat. The loss leaves India’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread, whereas South Africa strikes to the highest of Group 1 with a press release victory that mixed medical bowling with Miller’s trademark power-hitting.
Additionally READ: South Africa crush India as David Miller, bowlers run riot in Tremendous 8 conflict at T20 World Cup 2026
