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

Fresh drama hit the India National Cricket Team just one day after the crushing defeat against South Africa in their first Super 8 match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 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 reaching Ahmedabad airport separately on Monday, February 23. The pictures and clips went viral on social media within minutes.

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

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This sparked massive buzz on social media. Many have started questioning whether everything was fine inside the Indian camp after the shocking defeat against the last edition’s runner-up. Reports confirmed that Bumrah arrived at the airport in his private vehicle.

However, it was not that shocking, as Jasprit Bumrah lives in Ahmedabad’s Goyal Intercity area. Whenever India plays 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 the Proteas side.

Axar Patel's omission adds more fuel to the buzz

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

Yet, the timing of this separate travel has added more fuel to the fire after a heavy loss and growing pressure, especially due to the fact that the all-rounder was surprisingly dropped from the playing XI against South Africa. Washington Sundar was picked over Axar for the Super 8 game in Ahmedabad.

Jasprit Bumrah arrived in Separate Car at Ahmedabad Airport, Team India yet to arrive. #INDvsSA #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/h0mWW3gDQo

— Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) February 23, 2026

David Miller destroys India in Ahmedabad

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

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

In reply, India’s chase looked shaky from the start. The team struggled to build partnerships and kept losing wickets. South Africa’s left-arm pacer Marco Jansen led the attack with 4 wickets for 22 runs. The senior spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up 3 for 24 and kept the pressure on in the middle overs.

Corbin Bosch also chipped in with 2 for 12 as India was bowled out for just 111 in 18.5 overs. Shivam Dube tried to fight back with 42 runs from 37 balls, but he did not get enough support from the other batters, and they suffered a crushing loss in Ahmedabad.