Ajinkya Rahane questions Axar Patel’s participation: India lost their first match in the 2026 T20 World Cup against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Chasing the target of 188 runs, the Men in Blue were all out for 111 runs. After the defeat, questions are also being raised on India’s high risk high reward game and team selection.
After the match, former batsman Ajinkya Rahane took some decisions on India’s playing XI against South Africa. Like others, Rahane also said that the decision to play Washington Sundar in place of team vice-captain Akshar Patel in the match was wrong.
‘I am really surprised that Axar Patel is not playing matches’- Ajinkya Rahane
Although South Africa had three left-handers, two of them at the top of their eleven, they have Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and David Miller. Rahane was surprised that Axar Patel was not included in the playing eleven.
“I’m really surprised that Axar Patel is not playing the match,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz. “I don’t understand what’s happening. Washington Sundar is a quality player – no one is against him – but Axar has been performing very well for India in different conditions. Sometimes when you try to be too smart in terms of selection, it can hinder you.”
‘Akshar’s record against left-handed batsmen is really good’- Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane also pointed out that there is no guarantee that Washington Sundar will bowl only to left-handed batsmen. However, Axar Patel has a sensational record against left-handed batsmen. Rahane also pointed out that despite India having a glut of left-handed batsmen, the Proteas team brought back Keshav Maharaj. Keshav Maharaj took 3 wickets for 24 runs in a spell of four overs.
Rahane said, “You chose Washington because there are a lot of left-handers in the South African team, but he bowled only two overs. And there is no guarantee that an off-spinner will bowl only to left-handers.”
Rahane further said, “Akshar’s record against left-handers is really good. We saw what Keshav Maharaj did today against top left-handers. You have to play a quality player in your team, especially someone who has done well for you time and again in difficult conditions.”
Even former England captain Michael Vaughan, who was part of the live discussion panel, lashed out at the team management. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Axar Patel played a crucial innings with Virat Kohli when Axar Patel scored 47 runs in 31 balls against the same opponent when India were at 31/3 at one point. His batting has improved a lot and he can bat at number 5 for India.
India will enter a possible knockout match
This decision proved fatal for the Indian national cricket team, as it became difficult for them to qualify. Suryakumar Yadav and his men need to win their remaining two matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies, and also try to win by a bigger margin to improve their net run rate.
The Men in Blue will also hope that South Africa win all their remaining group matches and top the group with six possible points. India will face Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
Also read: Will India boycott Narendra Modi Stadium? Faf du Plessis took a sharp dig at Gautam Gambhir’s team.
