T20 World Cup: Influencer RJ Princy Parikh Faces Abuse Over David Miller Video Following India’s Loss to South Africa
Social media influencer RJ Princy Parikh has deleted a viral video featuring South African batter David Miller after being subjected to severe online harassment, including rape threats and body-shaming. The abuse surged following India’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.
The controversy highlights the volatile intersection of social media culture and high-stakes cricket fandom, specifically following national team losses.
Viral Reel Sparks Backlash
Following the match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Parikh posted a short video clip on Instagram and Facebook. The content showed Parikh circling Miller with a voiceover caption stating, “David Miller! What a player,” followed by the text overlay, “I thought we were friends, David.”
While the video appeared intended as lighthearted content regarding Miller’s performance against India, the reaction was hostile. Parikh stated that the comments section quickly filled with abusive remarks, body-shaming, and explicit threats of sexual violence. Consequently, she removed the video from Facebook but initially retained it on Instagram before taking further action. Parikh has announced her intention to file a formal police complaint regarding the threats.
Match Report: South Africa Ends India’s Winning Streak
The online hostility occurred in the wake of a significant upset on the field. South Africa defeated India by 76 runs, snapping the Men in Blue’s 12-match T20 World Cup winning streak. The loss places India in a precarious position, requiring wins in their remaining two fixtures to secure a semifinal berth.
Proteas Batters Dominate
South Africa recovered from a shaky start of 20/3 to post a commanding total of 187/7. David Miller anchored the revival with a decisive knock, supported by young talents Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs.
- David Miller: 63 runs (35 balls)
- Dewald Brevis: 45 runs (29 balls)
- Tristan Stubbs: 44* runs (rapid finish)
- Partnership: Miller and Brevis shared a 97-run stand to stabilize the innings.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 15 runs, though the remaining attack struggled to contain the Proteas’ middle order.
Indian Batting Collapse
Chasing 188 for victory, the Indian lineup crumbled against disciplined South African bowling, folding for 111 in 18.5 overs. The top order failed to fire, with openers Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma dismissed cheaply. While Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma attempted a brief recovery, Sharma’s dismissal in the fifth over exposed the middle order.
Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube constructed a 35-run partnership, but the pressure of the required run rate induced errors. Dube was the top scorer with 42 runs, but his dismissal effectively ended India’s resistance.
Match Statistics Summary
| Category | South Africa | India |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 187/7 (20 overs) | 111 all out (18.5 overs) |
| Top Scorer | David Miller (63) | Shivam Dube (42) |
| Best Bowling | Marco Jansen (4/22) | Jasprit Bumrah (3/15) |
| Key Performance | Keshav Maharaj (3/24) | Lungi Ngidi (0/15 in 4 overs) |
Marco Jansen led the South African attack with figures of 4/22, while Keshav Maharaj took 3/24. Lungi Ngidi provided exceptional economy, conceding only 15 runs in his four-over spell.
For official standings and upcoming fixtures, visit the International Cricket Council (ICC) website or follow updates from Cricket South Africa.