A 76-run drubbing by South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage has left Indian cricket reeling. Played under the lights at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the loss exposed glaring selection flaws, none more so than benching Axar Patel for Washington Sundar. Ajinkya Rahane, with his vast experience, voiced strong disapproval, terming the decision perplexing.
South Africa, electing to bat first after toss, amassed 187/7, setting a daunting target. India managed only 111, but the pre-match call on Axar stole the spotlight. ‘Truly surprised Axar sat out. Sundar’s talented, but Axar excels across conditions,’ Rahane remarked. He cautioned against excessive cleverness in picks, especially banking on off-spin versus left-handers like de Kock, Rickelton, and Miller.
Rahane stressed Axar’s proven prowess against lefties and his leadership role. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate explained it as a calculated ploy for powerplay edge, believing Sundar outshone Axar early on. Results told a different story: Sundar went for 17 in two overs, wicketless, and contributed 11 with the bat.
As India’s path to semifinals grows treacherous, Rahane’s comments highlight the perils of straying from reliable performers. The team must regroup, reassess, and prioritize form over theory to salvage their campaign.