Watch: Mohammad Kaif slammed Indian team management after IND vs SA Super 8 match in T20 World Cup 2026

As the hosts and defending champions India suffered a shocking big defeat against South Africa in their first Super Eights fixture at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on Sunday night (February 22), former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed the Indian team management for the defeat.

After South Africa chose to bat first, they scored 187/7 in 20 overs, while they were once struggling at 20/3. In reply, India were bundled out for only 111 runs, as the Men in Blues lost by 76 runs, which has affected their net run rate in the Super Eight stage Group 1 points table. 

The common criticism after India's big defeat against South Africa in Super Eights of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

One common criticism of the defeat is not playing with the all-rounder Axar Patel for the match, who is the vice-captain of the Men in Blue. Moreover, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the home venue for the Indian all-rounder. The Indian team made no changes in the playing XI, as Washington Sundar remained in the playing XI, who replaced Axar Patel in their last group stage game against the Netherlands. While the off-spinner Sundar bowled only two overs, conceding 17 runs without taking any wickets, he scored 11 runs off 11 balls after coming to bat at no.5, above Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh.   

Mohammad Kaif reminds why Axar Patel is important for India

Former Indian cricketer and U19 World Cup-winning captain Mohammad Kaif questioned India's team selection, as to how they couldn't select the vice-captain Axar Patel. 

Kaif reminded that Axar won the Player of the Match award during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-final against England, and played a very helpful knock of 47 off 31 balls while India were struggling in the Final against South Africa. The former Indian cricketer further added that the Men in Blue shouldn't break their main squad, as Axar is a part of India's strongest playing XI from the beginning of the tournament.