Why is Axar Patel not playing today in IND vs RSA Super 8 clash in T20 World Cup 2026?

It is time for the Super Eights challenge in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, as the hosts and defending champions India are ready to host South Africa in their first Group 1 match in the Super Eights stage, which Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is hosting on Sunday night (February 22). Before the beginning of the match, we came to know that the Indian vice-captain Axar Patel isn't in the playing XI for the game, and here we have brought the reason for his absence. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Super Eights (Group 1) – IND vs RSA: India unchanged; Axar Patel not playing

After South Africa chose to bat first at Ahmedabad, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that they haven't made any changes in their last playing XI, which means that the vice-captain and all-rounder Axar Patel is not in the playing XI.  

While there is no fresh injury news for Axar Patel, the Indian team management has decided not to change their latest playing XI. It may also be a tactical choice to go with a offspin bowling all-rounder rather than the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, while South Africa have three strong left-handed batters till the top middle-order batting.  

Axar Patel got six wickets in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Although Axar Patel has struggled with the bat in the three group stage matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup, scoring 14 and two ducks, he got two wickets each in those three games. So, the T20I vice-captain is very crucial for the Men in Blue, while Ahmedabad is his home town, but he has now missed both of his home town fixtures in the tournament. 

While Washington Sundar featured in the last game against the Netherlands, he didn't get an opportunity to bat, but with the ball in hand, he had the bowling figures of 4-0-36-0.