The sting of India’s 76-run thrashing by South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 still fresh, Ravichandran Ashwin unleashed a passionate defense of overlooked spinner Axar Patel on his YouTube channel. Upset with Washington Sundar’s selection over Axar, Ashwin urged the team management not to forget past heroics.
‘I get the matchup for left-handers with Washington, but Axar Patel remains one of your key T20 assets,’ Ashwin said emotionally. He advocated for minimal team changes in ICC tournaments, contrasting it with IPL’s fluidity. Diving into history, Ashwin spotlighted Axar’s crucial knock in the 2024 World Cup final alongside Virat Kohli, helping India cross 170 amid chaos.
‘Axar’s contribution was massive, even with Kohli’s mastery,’ he added. Ashwin also criticized the batting order chaos, bewildered by Rinku Singh’s demotion to number 8. ‘Eight batsmen and Rinku’s at 8? That’s not right. South Africa exposed our lack of readiness,’ he observed.
In a sobering note, Ashwin warned against complacency. His heartfelt plea highlights the delicate balance between form, matchups, and loyalty in high-stakes cricket, sparking debates on India’s World Cup strategy.