India vs South Africa: Ashwin Slams Axar Patel Omission After India’s Super Eight Loss

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly criticised the decision to drop Axar Patel for India's crucial Super Eight clash against South Africa national cricket team, calling the all-rounder the team's "MVP in T20 cricket" and questioning the logic of prioritising match-ups over stability in an ICC tournament.

India slumped to a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad, a result that has complicated their semi-final prospects at the 2026 T20 World Cup. The team management opted to retain Washington Sundar in the XI, citing his favourable match-up against South Africa's left-handers. The move failed to deliver. Sundar conceded 17 runs in his two overs and managed just 11 runs at No.5, promoted ahead of Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.

Ashwin makes a case for Axar Patel

Speaking on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat', Ashwin drew a sharp distinction between franchise cricket and ICC events.

"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.

Ashwin's argument was not against match-up theory itself, but against applying it rigidly in a short tournament where continuity and clearly defined roles often outweigh tactical tinkering.

Making a detailed case for Axar's return, Ashwin pointed to the all-rounder's performance in the previous T20 World Cup final against South Africa, where he delivered under identical pressure.

"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, India's vice-captain, had first been rested against the Netherlands before being overlooked again for the Super Eight fixture. His absence became a focal point after India's batting unravelled in the chase.

With the defeat tightening the qualification equation, India now turn their attention to Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, knowing that further experimentation may carry even heavier consequences.