INSECT ATTACK: The third T20 International cricket match between India and South Africa at Centurion’s SuperSport Park took an unexpected pause due to a sudden invasion of flying ants! With India already setting an impressive target of 220 runs, the match was temporarily put on hold just as South Africa began their chase.
After South Africa’s openers managed seven runs in their first over, the game had to be stopped as the pitch became overrun with the insects. Players quickly left the field, while ground staff jumped into action, using drones to spray pesticides and super soppers to clear the area. The match was delayed for almost 30 minutes as they worked to make the field playable again.
This pause gave fans and players alike a moment to take in India’s strong performance, highlighted by Tilak Varma’s maiden T20I century. Varma’s powerful innings of 107 off just 49 balls, which included eight boundaries and seven sixes, set South Africa a challenging target.
Not the First Time
Once the field was cleared, play resumed, but the brief insect attack made for a memorable—and slightly surreal—moment in cricket history. Interestingly, this isn’t the first insect interruption in cricket. Back in 2017, a swarm of bees halted a game between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.
After the unusual break, South Africa continued their chase, but the flying ants added a unique chapter to this match that players and spectators won’t soon forget!
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