A 76-run capitulation against South Africa has left India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super-8 hopes hanging by a thread. The Narendra Modi Stadium drubbing amplified scrutiny on the playing XI, particularly the omission of versatile all-rounder Axar Patel.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate dissected the strategy in the presser: South Africa’s trio of left-handers—de Kock, Rickelton, and Miller—dictated an off-spin preference for the powerplay. ‘Sundar’s record against lefties in those overs is superior,’ he said, citing 23 wickets in 57 innings versus Axar’s 14 in 62.
Yet Axar’s middle-over dominance (63 wickets/79 inns vs Sundar’s 23/48) and batting utility screamed mismatch. Sundar flopped: wicketless for 17 in two overs, plus 11 runs with the willow.
Toss-winning South Africa racked up 187/7; India managed 111. Semifinal prospects now look bleak.
This revelation peels back layers of captaincy conundrums in white-ball cricket. Prioritizing early breakthroughs over all-phase balance cost dearly— a lesson India must absorb swiftly.