T20 World Cup 2026: Former cricketer recommends two changes to India’s playing XI vs South Africa

The group stage matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will conclude on February 20. After that, the Super-8 round will begin on Saturday, in which the eight teams are divided into two groups of four teams each (X and Y). Group X also includes India, and their first match is against South Africa, which will be played on February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

There has been a lot of discussion regarding India's playing XI against South Africa. In the last group match against the Netherlands, Team India rested vice-captain Axar Patel and gave a chance to Washington Sundar, who bats left-handed and also bowls off-spin. In this context, a potential change seems likely with Axar replacing Sundar, but former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has suggested that India make two key adjustments in their playing XI.

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Most experts believe that Axar Patel will return in place of Washington Sundar against South Africa, but Deep Dasgupta thinks that this decision depends on whether Arshdeep Singh plays.

Dasgupta on Axar's return to India's playing XI against South Africa

During the discussion on Star Sports, Deep Dasgupta was asked whether India would field the same playing XI in the Super-8 match against South Africa as they did against the Netherlands, or if Axar Patel is likely to make a comeback.

“If Arshdeep is playing, they might go with Axar. If Arshdeep is not playing, I would rather go with Washington, and the reason is bowling with the new ball, which Washington does for you regularly, in the first two overs. There is nothing much to choose between Axar and Washington,” Dasgupta responded.

"I think one thing that might tilt the scales towards Washington is whether Arshdeep is playing or not, because I think what you need is (Jasprit) Bumrah's freedom of four overs. You can use Bumrah whenever you want to. You don't want to tie him up. I think two choices need to be made and those are interconnected," Former India wicktkeeper added.

In the end, Deep Dasgupta indicated a strong possibility of Washington Sundar playing against South Africa, as the Proteas team has several left-handed batters, and off-spin could prove effective against them.