The chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Suryakumar Yadav on Tuesday August 19 announced a 15-man squad to play the Asia Cup that excluded vice-captain in T20I cricket Axar Patel himself.
Axar was appointed as the understudy of Suryakumar in the home series against England as the run up to the 2025 Champions Trophy mi. Gujarat all-rounder performed well in the series, more so with the ball taking six wickets in five matches at an average of 16.50 and an economy of 7.07. India carried away the five-tests series 4 -1.
However, for the Asia Cup in the UAE this September, Shubman Gill replaced him as deputy. Interestingly, Gill hasn’t featured in a T20I since July 2024.
Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif expressed sympathy for Axar on his official ‘X’ handle, stating that the all-rounder should be given an explanation for why he was demoted from vice-captaincy.
“I hope Axar Patel was informed about his removal from vice-captaincy in advance and he didn’t come to know about it from the press conference. Axar did no wrong so he deserves an explanation,” wrote Kaif on his ‘X’ account.
India has been drawn in Group A, alongside the UAE, Pakistan, and Oman. On September 10, the Men in Blue will play the UAE to start their Asia Cup campaign. They will play Oman and Pakistan, bitter rivals, in their next two games. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which will also host the summit match on September 28, will host all of India’s group stage games.
The most successful team in the continental competition’s history is India. Eight times, they have taken home the prestigious Asia Cup. After winning the championship in Sri Lanka in 2023, India is also the reigning champion.
