Fans slam Team India for ignoring Axar Patel in the Super 8 clash against South Africa at T20 World Cup 2026

Feb 22, 2026

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Fans slam India for not picking Axar Patel in the South Africa game

The much-anticipated Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and South Africa got underway at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, February 22. With both sides considered strong contenders for the title, fans expected a tactical masterclass. However, moments after the toss, social media was flooded with criticism as Team India decided to bench vice-captain Axar Patel for the crucial encounter.

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat first in Ahmedabad. The Proteas made four changes to their XI from the previous group-stage match, bringing back key players including Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi and David Miller, all of whom had been rested earlier. The move underlined South Africa’s intent to field their strongest combination for the high-stakes Super 8 fixture.

India stick to unchanged XI

In contrast, India opted to go with the same playing XI that featured in their final group-stage game against the Netherlands. The decision meant that Axar, who serves as the team’s vice-captain, once again missed out.

The call raised eyebrows instantly. Axar has been one of India’s dependable all-rounders in white-ball cricket, offering balance with both bat and ball. Earlier in the tournament, he played a key role against Pakistan, picking up two crucial wickets and maintaining tight lines in the middle overs. His ability to contribute handy runs down the order further enhances his value in pressure matches.

At the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified that Axar’s exclusion was purely a tactical decision. The skipper suggested that the team management believed the existing combination offered better balance against South Africa’s line-up. However, the explanation did little to calm the storm brewing online.

Fans lambast India for not picking Axar Patel in the game

As soon as the playing XI was announced, fans took to social media platforms to express their displeasure. Many supporters questioned how a vice-captain and proven match-winner could be sidelined in such a critical fixture. Some alleged poor planning and even hinted at internal politics within the setup.

Criticism was not limited to the captain alone. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also faced backlash, with fans debating the team’s strategic direction in the knockout stages of the tournament. The decision was labelled “illogical” and “hard to understand” by several cricket enthusiasts who felt Axar’s all-round abilities could have been crucial against a powerful South African batting unit.

With the tournament entering a decisive phase, every selection call is bound to be scrutinized. Whether India’s unchanged combination pays dividends or the absence of Axar proves costly remains to be seen. For now, though, the team management’s bold call has certainly ignited a debate among fans during one of the biggest clashes of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Also READ: Fans react as Will Jacks’ spin masterclass powers England to dominant Super 8 win over Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup 2026

Here’s how fans reacted

Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026 – Dasun Shanaka’s bullet throw removes Tom Banton in SL vs ENG Super 8 showdown

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

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