India’s Axar Patel, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the team management’s decision to leave out Axar Patel for the crucial Super 8 clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026.India opted to persist with Washington Sundar in the playing XI, citing his favourable match-up against left-handers. However, the move did not pay off. Sundar bowled two overs for 17 runs and failed to make an impact with the bat, scoring 11 at No.5, ahead of Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. India went on to suffer a heavy 76-run defeat.

Speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin said that while match-up strategies may work in franchise cricket, they are not always suited to international tournaments, where stability is key.“I agree that the IPL is good for match-ups, but you have to change the team because you are going to play 14 games. But in such ICC campaigns, the more stable you can keep the team, the better,” Ashwin said.“I agree 100 per cent that you have to use Washington Sundar against left-handers; you have to play him, I agree with all that. But Axar Patel has been your MVP in T20 cricket. Let’s not forget what Axar Patel has done,” he added.Making a strong case for Axar’s return, Ashwin referred to the all-rounder’s contribution in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, when India were under pressure in the chase against South Africa.“In the previous World Cup, in the situation against South Africa, in which India was in the chase, Axar Patel came in under the same circumstances. He stitched a partnership with Virat Kohli, and India crossed 170. Of course, Kohli’s experience was there, but Axar is not inferior. If India had a few wickets in hand and stability in the middle overs, they would have chased the target down,” said Ashwin.Axar, who is India’s vice-captain, was first rested for the match against the Netherlands and then overlooked again for the Super 8 fixture in Ahmedabad. With the defeat leaving India’s semi-final hopes hanging in the balance, the focus will now shift to their next encounter against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.