Aakash Chopra, who was a former India player, has cast doubt on the choice of the team of Men in Blue in the defeats they suffered to South Africa in the T20 world cup 2026. He observed that Axar Patel did not need to be made the vice-captain unless he was a definite in the playing team.
India chose to give Washington Sundar a starting spot over Axar in their T20 world cup 2026 super eight Group 1 match with South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 22 February. Eventually, the co-hosts were beaten by 76 runs and bowled out to 111 in their pursuit of a 188-run target.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ India’s former opener, was puzzled by the omission of Axar in the playing XI of the defending champions in their T20 world cup 2026 match against South Africa.
“Where were we left behind? The first thing that comes to my mind is, what team are we playing? You have appointed Axar Patel the vice-captain. If he is your team’s vice-captain, why isn’t he a part of the team? You needn’t have made him the vice-captain,” he said.
While arguing that it was still OK to rest Axar and give Washington a chance against the Netherlands, Chopra emphasized that the left-arm spinner was left out against the Proteas since they had three left-handed hitters.
“You made him sit out in the last match. Never mind, as Washi hadn’t played for such a long time, and you played him since you were playing against the Netherlands, but you made him sit out against South Africa. You said it’s becoming a negative match-up as there are three left-handers in the opposition,” he observed.
While observing that Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, two of India’s three left-handed hitters, were out in the first four overs, the cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that South Africa chose to play Keshav Maharaj despite the fact that India’s top eight includes six southpaws.
“Sir, two of the three left-handers bat in the top three, and both were out in two overs. We have six left-handers among our eight batters, and South Africa said they would play Keshav Maharaj because he is their main bowler. They said they won’t make Keshav sit out because he is important. For you, your vice-captain is not important. How is that okay?” Chopra elaborated.
Washington Sundar bowled only two overs, finishing wicketless and allowing 17 runs in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against South Africa. During the pursuit, he was promoted to No. 5, although his run-a-ball total was only 11.
“They hadn’t made up their mind to chase” – Aakash Chopra on India wanting to bat first in IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 clash
In the same video, Aakash Chopra highlighted that Suryakumar Yadav stated at the toss that he wanted to bat first, hinting that India was not ready to chase in their T20 World Cup 2026 match against South Africa.
“The second thing that comes to my mind is that Surya was asked at the toss, although he didn’t win it, which is okay, but he wanted to bat first, which means they hadn’t made up their mind to chase, and didn’t have that much confidence as well,” he said.
The commentator questioned why India would pursue bilateral T20Is in such a situation.
“I am thinking, why do we bowl first after winning the toss in bilaterals? When South Africa came in front, our mindset was that we should get to bat first, that we don’t bat under pressure, and instead bowl under pressure. If that’s the case, do the same thing in bilaterals as well. I don’t think we were prepared for this,” Chopra observed.
India batted first in all four of their Group A games at the T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first in the last group game against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad to acclimate to the likely wet conditions in the second innings, a decision that did not aid India’s cause in Sunday’s game.
