Team India coach explains Axar Patel's Snub (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com. @BCCI/x.com)
Team India started their Super Eight journey most horrifically, losing to South Africa by a huge 76-run margin last night. Their slump was compounded by Axar Patel’s absence from the playing XI, raising further questions.
After Washington Sundar replaced the star spinner, fans slammed management’s decision. Foloowing the forgettable outing, Team India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed the reason behind Axar Patel’s absence.
Ryan ten Doeschate explains why Axar Patel missed the match
When team India proceeded to the thrilling Super Eight stage, Indian fans hoped for a stunning beginning, but their hope was crushed in Ahmedabad. Facing South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav and Co. faced a horrible 76-run defeat. The defeat was definitely disappointing, but the cricket world received a shock even before the match started.
Team India’s vice-captain Axar Patel was dropped from the playing XI as Washington Sundar replaced him in the game. The decision drew widespread criticism, as fans and experts slammed the management for sidelining the in-form star spinner.
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The criticism went even harsher after the Men in Blue tasted their first defeat in the ongoing tournament. In the post-match press conference, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed why Axar Patel was sidelined for the crucial game.
“It's certainly not a reflection on Axar - his leadership and importance to the team are unquestioned. But this is the challenge we face almost every week: fitting 11 players into a squad of 15. It's not easy, and we have to make sure we get it right for the next two Super Eight games,” he said.
“On balance, given that we expected most of the threat to come from left-handers, and that we wanted the extra batter, it came down to a straight choice between Washington and Axar. And we went with Washington,” he added.
Washington Sundar falls short when team needed him the most
Team India showed patience with Washington Sundar during his recovery process, giving him a chance in the crucial Super Eight stage. Earlier, when Axar Patel was rested against the Netherlands, Sundar was included in the XI but failed to make an impact.
Even in the last match against South Africa, things didn’t change much. He was used sparingly in bowling, as captain SKY gave him just two overs, in which he conceded 17 runs and failed to secure any wickets.
But when Team India faced a bizarre slump in the second innings, they needed Washington Sundar to make an impact. When Team India was 26/3, he walked out to bat but departed scoring only 11 runs. That only deepened the woes.
The massive defeat puts India’s semifinal dreams in danger
After an unbeaten run in the group stage, the Indian fans hoped high for a successful outing in the T20 World Cup 2026, but their dream was dashed only in the first match of the Super Eight stage. The heavy defeat against South Africa not only cost them two points but also dropped their net run rate to -3.800.
That defeat put them in a tough place as their semifinal race became complicated. Winning the remaining matches became absolutely crucial as their challenges deepened. The Men in Blue now need big-margin victories in both games to keep their hopes alive.
A single loss in the remaining two games will end India’s semifinal hopes entirely. To keep the hope alive, they need to be hungry for two clinical victories.
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