Star Sports’ Controversial Cupcake Ad Backfires as South Africa Thrashes India

Star Sports found itself at the center of a controversy after withdrawing its contentious “cupcake” advertisement following South Africa’s commanding 76-run victory over India in the 2026 T20 World Cup Super 8 match. The ad, criticized as arrogant before the match even began, triggered widespread outrage among cricket enthusiasts and social media users worldwide.

Match Highlights

The thrilling encounter took place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. South Africa batted first, setting a formidable total of 180 runs through aggressive strokes and consistent partnerships. Notable performances included:

• Quinton de Kock with a quick 58 runs
• Aiden Markram contributing a steady 45 runs

India struggled in the chase, managing only 104 runs as South Africa’s bowlers maintained immense pressure. Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack with an impressive 4 wickets for 22 runs. This loss was a major setback for India’s Super 8 ambitions.

Ad Controversy and Backlash

Prior to the match, Star Sports aired a promotional ad that portrayed the Indian cricket team as “cupcakes” in comparison to the more robust South African side. The ad was met with widespread condemnation for being disrespectful and overly confident.

In response to the backlash, Star Sports promptly withdrew the advertisement and issued a public apology acknowledging that their intent to hype the game had missed the mark, stating:

“Our intent was to hype the match excitement, but we acknowledge the ad was inappropriate and did not promote the spirit of the game.”

Reactions from Teams

India’s captain expressed his disappointment but emphasized the importance of learning and bouncing back stronger in the tournament. Meanwhile, South Africa celebrated their decisive victory, which bolstered their position in the Super 8 round and sent a strong message to competitors.

Impact and Reflections

The controversy overshadowed some of the key on-field moments and raised important discussions about the role of broadcasters in ensuring respectful promotion within sports media. It highlighted the delicate balance between generating excitement and maintaining sportsmanship, especially in high-pressure tournaments like the T20 World Cup.

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