T20 World Cup 2026: 'Axar Patel has been your MVP in T20s, how can you forget what he has done?' R Ashwin slams vice-captain's snub after SA loss

Published - 23 Feb 2026, 13:45 IST | Updated - 23 Feb 2026, 14:25 IST

The Indian team management has been receiving a lot of flak for its selection calls in Sunday's Super 8 clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. One of the biggest talking points has been the snubbing of vice-captain Axar Patel.

India opted to play Washington Sundar instead of Axar, a decision made after considering that the South African batting lineup had three left-handers. However, the move didn't pay dividends as Sundar bowled only a couple of overs and scored a run-a-ball 11 after being promoted to No. 5 in the batting order.

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that match-ups are useful in the Indian Premier League but not in international cricket. In ICC events, he opined that one of the secrets to success in ICC events is having a stable team.

“In World Cup tournaments like these, Vimal bhai, I understand that in the IPL and other leagues, match-ups can be useful and sometimes you have to change the team because you’re playing 14 games. But in ICC events like this, the more stable you can keep your team, the better it is,” Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin also highlighted the crucial role Axar played for India during their triumphant run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024. The former Tamil Nadu captain said that Axar could have helped India with the bat after they had lost three wickets inside the power play.

“I 100 percent agree that if you want to use Washington Sundar against left-handers, then you play him — I understand all of that. But Axar Patel has been your MVP in T20 cricket. Let’s not forget what Axar Patel did in the last World Cup against South Africa. The situation India were in today during the chase — it was the same kind of situation when Axar Patel came in back then," he added.

Sunil Gavaskar slams star batter after IND's loss to SA

Chasing a 188-run target, the Men in Blue were bowled out for just 111 in 18.5 overs. They will look to bounce back strongly when they meet Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26.