The former opening batter of the Indian side, Aakash Chopra, has questioned the team selection of the defending champions for their opening clash of the Super 8 stage in the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The management decided to keep Axar Patel out of the place of Washington Sundar. 

Axar Patel was the vice-captain of the Blue Brigade, and dropping the veteran was a shocking decision. Meanwhile, Sundar bowled only two overs in the innings for no wickets and gave away 17 runs besides failing to contribute with the bat in the middle order when required. Chopra questions the entire process.

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“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.” Chopra expressed in a video on his YouTube channel.

Akash Chopra questions India’s decision to drop Axar Patel vs SA in T20 WC 2026

Chopra also reckoned that two of the three left-handed batters of the SA side got dismissed in the first four overs, while the Proteas opted to go for the left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, despite having six southpaws in the Indian line-up.

“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.” Chopra addressed this in the same video.

“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?” The former opener elaborated.