In a call that will be discussed for years as one of the most shocking selection decisions by an Indian team at a major event, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side left out vice-captainAxar Patelfrom the playing XI to bring in Washington Sundar for their first Super 8 game of the 2026 T20 World Cup clash against South Africa. It was a decision that was criticised by cricket fans and experts even before a ball was bowled in the match, and the defending champions' shocking 76-run defeat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad put the decision at the centre.

India's mistreatment of Axar Patel

The omission in Ahmedabad continues a growing trend of Indian cricket not valuing Axar enough. While other all-rounders likeHardik PandyaandRavindra Jadejahave been rightly put on a pedestal, that has not happened. While Hardik is a rare commodity as a pace-bowling all-rounder, Jadeja, like Axar, is also a left-arm spinner with the ability to bat in the middle and lower-order, but one cannot recall any instance of him being left out of playing XI for a 'match=up'.

In fact, India played both Axar and Jadeja in every game of their victorious 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy campaigns as the Men in Blue won both competitions under Rohit Sharma's leadership without losing a game. It showed that playing your best player was key to success rather than what the opposition's line-up looked like.

Axar has been Jadeja's understudy for years and has had to wait for his chance for the veteran to retire. However, now that not only is the road clear for him but he has also proven his worth as one of the world's most valuable players, one has to question why Indian cricket does not give him the flowers he deserves.

It was understandable when Axar sat out for a player of Jadeja's calibre, but the same cannot be said for him warming the bench for Sundar. While the youngster is undoubtedly extremely talented, Axar is a much better batter, bowler, and fielder than him at the moment in white-ball cricket and deserves better than being made to compete for a place with him. Moreover, the team is weaker in Axar's absence and is shooting itself in the foot as Axar is a dynamic batter who can bat in any position while scoring at a quick rate, while being someone who guaranteed four overs with the ball, the same cannot be said for Sundar in either department.

Axar was also key to India ending their 11-year wait and winning their first ICC trophy in 11 years, as his knock of 47 as well as his partnership with Virat Kohli in the final against South Africa, turned the momentum in India's favour. In fact, the 32-year-old was consistent throughout the tournament and the Champions Trophy last year. In both tournaments, he outperformed Jadeja while consistently taking wickets in the middle overs as well as playing vital knocks while being promoted up the order.

Axar Patel In India'sT20 World Cup 2026And Champions Trophy 2025 Wins

The sad part is that the decision to leave Axar out against South Africa is not a one-off and continues a growing trend of the star all-rounder not getting his due from the team management or even the Indian cricket system. Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced their central contracts for the 2025-26 season, and Axar was in Grade C, which is the lowest. In comparison, Sundar and Hardik found themselves in Grade B, while Jadeja is in the top-most Grade A.

Despite his heroics in the Champions Trophy and later impressive display in the away series against Australia, Axar was not in the ODI team for the home series against New Zealand and South Africa, with no explanation provided by the selectors while both Sundar and Jadeja got a place ahead of him despite their performances in the format not being on the same level.

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