The India versus South Africa rivalry may not be as hyped and heated as India versus PAK or Australia, but the two sides have witnessed tensions on a few
occasions
When it comes to heated rivalries, there is no doubt India shares an ugly relationship with PAK on the field, whereas versus Australia and England, verbal exchanges take place often. However, the India versus South Africa rivalry, although competitive, has been more about mutual respect and discipline in line with the rules & regulations and courtesies of the gentlemen's game. Having said that, the two teams have witnessed their share of controversies, at times because of their theatrics or because of external circumstances.
Note that in the following listicle, we have included controversies from all formats of the game.
Bottle attack in Barabati
In a T20I match in 2015, India had one of its worst batting performances ever against South Africa. Batting first, the entire Indian team line-up was folded for 92 runs, because of which the Barabati crowd got angry and threw bottles at the players on the field. Bottle attacks were carried out in multiple phases, because of which interruptions became the norm, but ultimately, Africa chased the target and won the game.
#Odisha BCCI working committee meets to discuss Barabati bottle pelting. http://t.co/hFRLBUu8QY pic.twitter.com/lOgL8SQHOq
— Kanak News (@kanak_news) October 18, 2015
Surprisingly, a calm skipper, Dhoni, reacted to the incident by saying, “The reaction of the crowd, you know, we didn't play well, so at times you get reactions like this. It's only the first bottle. After that they start throwing for fun. We shouldn't read too much into it.”
No DRS for India
DRS not available 👀
Ravindra Jadeja got David Miller knicked but DRS was unavailable. 🙄
3rd class umpiring.. #INDvsSA #T20Cricket @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/eXJ9UoGBc8— Akhilesh JaiHind (@akhilesh8302) December 14, 2023
In 2023 during the third T20I game between India and South Africa, the DRS stopped working in the second innings when South Africa was batting. Although India won the game, Jadeja’s clear dismissal of David Miller was denied by the umpire and could not be checked due to the unavailability of DRS. Many called the game unfair, but at the end of the day, India won.
Greatest catch or not
Relive Suryakumar Yadav’s unbelievable long-off catch in the T20 WC 2024 final. A moment etched in history—pure raw emotions, and scenes after the win that will be remembered for ages. pic.twitter.com/HHLCEoIlYX
— yaser khan 🇮🇳 (@ar_yaserkhan) January 20, 2026
We all know what happened two years ago when India and South Africa played the T20 World Cup final against each other. David Miller, the final hope for South Africa, was poised to steal the victory from India. However, a miraculous catch by Suryakumar Yadav sealed the fate in India’s favour. While one section of the cricket fraternity had no issue with the catch, another section questioned whether Yadav had touched the boundary rope. Fortunately, several camera angles clarified the situation.
100th wicket confusion
Jasprit Bumrah has written his name in the annals of cricketing history by becoming the first Indian to take 100 wickets across all three international formats.
Before the 1st T20I against South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah was at 99 wickets in 80 T20Is. Dewald Brevis top edged a back… pic.twitter.com/zup2Zqu3GF— Outlook India (@Outlookindia) December 10, 2025
Last year when Jasprit Bumrah picked his 100th T20I wicket, the moment became controversial. The dismissal of Dewald Brevis by Bumrah was simple, yet the on-field umpire went to the third umpire to check if Bumrah had overstepped. Following tense moments, the decision favoured Bumrah.
Bauna remark
Jasprit Bavuma for Rishabh pant - Bauna bhi to hai ye 😀 pic.twitter.com/1RW0StZiNV
— Jo Ker 🃏 (@ceasefire_01) November 14, 2025
Last but not least, in a Test match between the two sides last November, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant were caught body shaming Temba Bavuma for his short height. During an LBW appeal, Pant and Bumrah were caught saying, “Bauna bhi toh hain yeh (He is a dwarf)” which gained severe criticism as many pointed that the line between insult and banter should be understood.
