Star Sports promo gets fan reaction [Source: X]After the South Africa–India controversy, Star Sports, the official broadcast partner of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, has released another promo ahead of the Zimbabwe game. The promo features a montage of both teams showing their intent to fight and win the match scheduled for February 26. It is a classic presentation without any derogatory remark, unlike the earlier advertisement that landed Star Sports in trouble. Previously, a South Africa vs India promo received heavy backlash on the internet because of its caricature-style portrayal of the South African team, while the hosts were represented gracefully. That offended many South African as well as native fans for being partial in the advertisement. The Ugly Fan Backlash Over India vs South Africa Promo Media houses, especially television partners, are responsible for building hype around a match. However, if the promotion becomes too controversial or demeaning toward another team, it invites criticism from all sides. That is what happened with the IND vs SA and IND vs PAK promos. During the group-stage fixture ahead of the February 15 clash against Pakistan, Star Sports released a promo, which also received heated backlash from fans. However, what crossed the line was the promo featuring a South African fan, where a popular YouTuber was seen demeaning and insulting South Africa for choking and losing the T20 World Cup 2024. Also read: Jay Shah's ICC Betrays India With Last-Minute T20 World Cup Semifinal Venue SwitchThe advertisement did not go down well with netizens. Fans protested strongly, and Star Sports deleted it from their official social media handles. It was also not aired further on official TV channels. After this controversy, India were defeated by South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22 by a massive 76-run margin. That loss was seen as a further embarrassment for the media house, which had appeared to favour the Men in Blue in the earlier biased advertisement. However, days later, ahead of the IND vs ZIM clash, Star Sports released a new promo, this time adopting a neutral approach. Fans Fill Internet With Memes After New 'Humbled' PromoThe new promo presents a do-or-die montage of both teams’ players without any extreme caricature or exaggerated creativity. The official video was released on Star Sports’ social media handles and is also being aired on television.Mufaddal Vohra @mufaddal_vohra India Vs Zimbabwe promo by Star Sports. - Good to see a normal promo! 😄 Feb 24, 2026, 11:23 AM After the release, fans on the internet also shared their views, pointing out what they called a U-turn by the broadcasting channel regarding its promotional approach.Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to the promo:Pankaj @Pankaj41627 @mufaddal_vohra Star sports new poster : Feb 24, 2026, 11:24 AM Vishal Umasankar @vishalonmic @mufaddal_vohra Lesson learnt. Now hopefully India doesn’t choke. NoCoSaL @NoCoSaL @mufaddal_vohra fans to Star Sports. Feb 24, 2026, 11:27 AM Cric_zone_Update @GujaratiZ76320 @mufaddal_vohra "I totally agree—it’s refreshing to see a normal and professional promo from Star Sports for the India vs. Zimbabwe match! The 'Do or Die' branding for the Super 8s really captures the high stakes for Team India. Let's hope the match is as high-octane as this video! 🇮🇳🆚🇿🇼🏏 SKH @Skh9864 @mufaddal_vohra finally star sports learned their lesson after that cupcake ad backfired... just show the cricket man!! Barabati crease @BabajiSutar3 @mufaddal_vohra They had no clue after heavy criticism faced by fans for INDvsSA ! Great win for cricket fans ! This type of promo can play well for a good bonding with associate nation fans ! anisha @saksham546aj @mufaddal_vohra Sophisticated and simple promo Related to on field things Well done star sports 👏 monk who stonewalls @worstsledger @mufaddal_vohra Memers waiting for ad of insta influencers Feb 24, 2026, 11:26 AM Krish @Krish_uf @mufaddal_vohra Thousand times better than that Cupcake 🧁 one. Thank god they got humbled. Shubman gill..... @Sgill770 @mufaddal_vohra Bhai bo 300 wala bhoot utr gya kya ?? Ishita ✨ @Ishita_Vibes @mufaddal_vohra Star sports after south africa defeat Feb 24, 2026, 11:25 AM Mukund @Muukkundd @mufaddal_vohra Y not this sirrrr 🤡?? Feb 24, 2026, 1:04 PM Ranveer Energy @ranveerenergy @mufaddal_vohra Feb 24, 2026, 11:47 AM Sri krishna Vamsi @Luffydono1403 @mufaddal_vohra When will star sports learn manners..I think now. India Need Massive Win to Stay Alive In T20 World Cup 2026Undoubtedly, it is a do-or-die situation for both the teams. Placed in Super Eights Group 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026, both of them have lost one of their three matches. With West Indies and South Africa each winning one match, India and Zimbabwe must win their upcoming clash to remain in contention for the semi-final race. Even if Suryakumar Yadav & Co. defeat Zimbabwe and then West Indies on March 1, qualification for the semi-finals may still remain uncertain due to a significant net run rate gap. This means the Men in Blue must beat Zimbabwe by a very large margin to improve their net run rate of -3.800 and catch up with West Indies or South Africa, who have a net run rate above +3. This puts India in a tough position, as simply winning the remaining matches may not guarantee a semi-final spot, they must secure victories by big margins.Also Read: Smriti Mandhana Surpasses England And New Zealand Greats In Elite ODI List
