Controversial Omission of Axar Patel Raises Eyebrows in India's T20 World Cup Campaign
India's Shocking Selection Decision
In a move that will likely be debated for years, the Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, made the surprising choice to exclude vice-captain Axar Patel from the playing XI for their opening Super 8 match against South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup. This decision faced immediate backlash from fans and analysts alike, especially after India suffered a staggering 76-run defeat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It is quite rare for a team to omit their vice-captain from such a crucial match, and the choice to replace him with Washington Sundar has raised significant concerns about the team's management and their valuation of Axar's contributions across all formats of the game.
The Ongoing Neglect of Axar Patel
India's Mistreatment of Axar Patel
This exclusion is part of a troubling pattern where Axar Patel's value is consistently overlooked. While all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja receive ample recognition, Axar's contributions seem to go unnoticed. Unlike Jadeja, who has never been sidelined for tactical reasons, Axar has often found himself waiting for his opportunity. Historically, both Axar and Jadeja played pivotal roles in India's victorious campaigns in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, highlighting the importance of fielding the best players regardless of the opposition's lineup.
Axar's Performance and Value
Axar Patel has proven himself as a vital player, contributing significantly to India's recent successes. His performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup included 92 runs at an average of 23 and 9 wickets at an impressive economy rate. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, he scored 109 runs and took 5 wickets, showcasing his all-round capabilities. His absence in the match against South Africa not only weakened the team but also raised questions about the decision-making process within the management.
A Pattern of Unfair Treatment
Why Always Axar Patel?
The decision to leave Axar out of the lineup against South Africa is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend of neglect from the Indian cricket system. Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) placed Axar in Grade C for central contracts, the lowest tier, while Sundar and Pandya were ranked higher. Despite his stellar performances, Axar was overlooked for the ODI team against New Zealand and South Africa, raising eyebrows about the selectors' criteria.
In Test cricket, Axar has played only three matches since his crucial role in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which can be justified given Jadeja's exceptional form. However, Axar's exclusion from the 2023 World Cup squad due to injury, despite his quick recovery, further illustrates the inconsistency in team selection. The decision to replace him with Ravichandran Ashwin, who played limited matches, also raises questions about the team's strategy.
While Axar's appointment as vice-captain was a positive step, the ongoing disregard for his contributions is concerning. The Indian team is fortunate to have a player of his caliber and must recognize his worth moving forward.