T20 World Cup 2026: ‘He is the vice-captain’ – Veteran India batter slams team management over Axar Patel’s omission for India vs South Africa clash

India batter Ajinkya Rahane slammed the team management for their contentious call to omit Axar Patel from the playing XI against South Africa in their Super Eight clash at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on February 22.

Rahane highlighted that Axar was the vice-captain, adding that the team must not overanalyse match-ups. India included off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar in a bid to exploit the presence of four left-handers in South Africa’s top six. Axar had also sat out of India’s last group-stage clash against Netherlands at the same venue, with the hosts winning by 17 runs.

“The pitch looks quite similar to the previous black-soil surface we played on — not much difference. We’re happy to bowl first. It’s tough on Axar Patel, but we’re going with the same XI as the last game,” captain Suryakumar said during the toss.

Rahane further recalled Axar’s contribution in the 2024 World Cup, suggesting that he must have been brought back into the XI after being rested in the previous one.

“Left-arm bowlers can bowl against left-handed batters; it is as simple as that. Axar is a quality spinner, a wicket-taker, and he is the vice-captain of the team as well. The role Axar Patel is playing in the Indian team is amazing. We saw it in the last World Cup as well,” Ajinkya Rahane said on Cricbuzz.

‘Whatever the position, he always delivers’ – Michael Vaughan on Axar Patel

Rahane’s co-panellist and former England skipper Michael Vaughan seconded the viewpoint, elaborating Axar’s impressive record against left-handed batters despite being a left-arm spinner.

“No Axar? If you look at Axar Patel’s record against left-handers, his economy is actually lower to left-handers. If you are the head teacher, you know this chap is going to go out and give you a good performance. If you can get 7 out of 10 performances from the majority of your team and get firecrackers from two players, that is the winning combination. Whatever the position that he is sent in, he always delivers,” Vaughan opined.