What went wrong after the win? Inside India’s on-field confrontation

Despite a dominant 61-run win over Pakistan, visible tension erupted on the field as Hardik Pandya and captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed displeasure over a costly dropped catch by Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s emphatic 61-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the high-voltage T20 World Cup 2026 match turned dramatic after the final ball, as an unexpected on-field confrontation stole the spotlight from the celebrations.

Although Team India sealed a dominant win and secured direct qualification to the Super-8 stage, emotions flared between senior players Hardik Pandya, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The tense exchange, captured live on camera, left fans surprised and sparked widespread discussion.

Also Read:What went so right for India - and so wrong for Pakistan - in Colombo?

What exactly happened on the field?

Hardik Pandya delivered the final blow by claiming Pakistan’s last wicket, officially sealing the match. While Indian players gathered to celebrate the convincing victory, Hardik appeared visibly upset as he approached Kuldeep Yadav. Shortly after, captain Suryakumar Yadav also walked up to Kuldeep and was seen speaking in an angry tone.

Sensing that the situation could escalate, Rinku Singh quickly intervened to calm the atmosphere. Tilak Varma, who was nearby, appeared concerned as well. Their timely involvement helped prevent the incident from intensifying further.

Here is video of Hardik Pandya & Surya Kumar Yadav angry on Kuldeep Yadav #INDvsPAK#T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/BsGCCprKNc

— cricketkayudh (@cricketkayudh) February 15, 2026

Reason behind the anger

Despite the comfortable margin of victory, the frustration stemmed from a crucial dropped catch just moments before the match ended. During Hardik Pandya’s bowling, Pakistan batter Shaheen Afridi lofted the ball towards long-on, where Kuldeep Yadav was positioned.

The catch was straightforward, but Kuldeep failed to hold on, and the ball slipped through his hands, crossing the boundary for a six. Though the mistake did not affect the final result, senior players felt such lapses could prove costly in tight encounters ahead.

Sources indicated that Hardik and Suryakumar reacted strongly because they expect high fielding standards, especially in pressure games later in the tournament, where small errors can change match outcomes.

Captain’s post-match reaction

After the game, Suryakumar Yadav praised the team’s overall performance, highlighting Ishan Kishan’s outstanding form. He said the team executed their plans well and credited the collective effort behind the victory.

With this win, India officially booked their place in the Super-8 stage. Meanwhile, Pakistan now face a must-win situation in their final league match against Namibia to stay alive in the tournament.