JuicyTalk
The much-anticipated Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and South Africa got underway at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, February 22. With both sides considered strong contenders for the title, fans expected a tactical masterclass. However, moments after the toss, social media was flooded with criticism as Team India decided to bench vice-captain Axar Patel for the crucial encounter.
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat first in Ahmedabad. The Proteas made four changes to their XI from the previous group-stage match, bringing back key players including Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi and David Miller, all of whom had been rested earlier. The move underlined South Africa’s intent to field their strongest combination for the high-stakes Super 8 fixture.
India stick to unchanged XI
In contrast, India opted to go with the same playing XI that featured in their final group-stage game against the Netherlands. The decision meant that Axar, who serves as the team’s vice-captain, once again missed out.
The call raised eyebrows instantly. Axar has been one of India’s dependable all-rounders in white-ball cricket, offering balance with both bat and ball. Earlier in the tournament, he played a key role against Pakistan, picking up two crucial wickets and maintaining tight lines in the middle overs. His ability to contribute handy runs down the order further enhances his value in pressure matches.
At the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified that Axar’s exclusion was purely a tactical decision. The skipper suggested that the team management believed the existing combination offered better balance against South Africa’s line-up. However, the explanation did little to calm the storm brewing online.
Fans lambast India for not picking Axar Patel in the game
As soon as the playing XI was announced, fans took to social media platforms to express their displeasure. Many supporters questioned how a vice-captain and proven match-winner could be sidelined in such a critical fixture. Some alleged poor planning and even hinted at internal politics within the setup.
Criticism was not limited to the captain alone. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also faced backlash, with fans debating the team’s strategic direction in the knockout stages of the tournament. The decision was labelled “illogical” and “hard to understand” by several cricket enthusiasts who felt Axar’s all-round abilities could have been crucial against a powerful South African batting unit.
With the tournament entering a decisive phase, every selection call is bound to be scrutinized. Whether India’s unchanged combination pays dividends or the absence of Axar proves costly remains to be seen. For now, though, the team management’s bold call has certainly ignited a debate among fans during one of the biggest clashes of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Here’s how fans reacted
No Axar Patel in XI?!
You just have to feel for the vice captain. A player who has been instrumental in winning some tough matches last edition in 2024.
Horses for courses?— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) February 22, 2026
The management always mistreated axar patel, they have literally kept this match winner on bench for a super 8 match against South africa on the name of fuckin stupid tactical change. We literally have the dumbest coaching staff currently irrespective of results. pic.twitter.com/CBOGbSCL0i
— Garvit_1310 (@GarvitArora1310) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel को इस मैच में बाहर करके गलती कर दी है इंडिया ने …पिछले साल के फाइनल में बापू ने क्या बल्लेबाजी की थी।#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/H0QETO3mXn
— Hitesh Thakur (@hiteshthakur163) February 22, 2026
Who will give answer that why Axar Patel, the vice-captain, is not playing?
Is there any say of captain Suryakumar Yadav or is Gautam Gambhir in full power?
Surya Kumar Yadav is acting like a puppy of Gambhir. pic.twitter.com/TWAxxbe4ca— MARCUS (@MARCUS907935) February 22, 2026
🚨🚨Axar Patel being left out against South Africa raises serious questions. There has been no visible dip in form or performance to justify the decision.
Whenever given an opportunity, he has delivered impactful performances including a Player of the Match display against… pic.twitter.com/O2MpoYtuHa
— GillTheWill (@GillTheWill77) February 22, 2026
Washington Sundar can’t match the supremacy of Axar Patel’s all-rounder skills. The Indian captain and Gautam Gambhir need to understand this.#INDvsSA #SAvsIND #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Qr1cfXiE04
— Sagar Lohatkar (@sagarlohatkar) February 22, 2026
If God is real , India is losing today for dropping biggest match winner axar Patel from 11
The politician suryakumar yadav has successfully destroyed another career pic.twitter.com/lUENEXeVQE
— 𝘿𝙖𝙠𝙨𝙝 (@screwgauge77) February 22, 2026
🚨 Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir really messed up 🚨
– Leaving Axar Patel out against South Africa is baffling. He’s a game changer the bowler who breaks stubborn partnership and the batter who has rescued India from collapses more times than we can count.
– It’s hard… pic.twitter.com/1rv4rQZTLC
— Yash MSdian ™️ 🦁 (@itzyash07) February 22, 2026
Washington Sundar is playing over Axar Patel??? Seriously???
Is this what we call a tactic.
Seriously I can’t get over it!!!!
Very Very Harsh on Axar Patel.#indvssa #INDvsSA #ICCMensT20WorldCup2026 #slvseng #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/FWl9DZ74QM— Lakshya Bhadauria (@IamLakshya18) February 22, 2026
Vice captains are overrated in cricket. But should you really drop a proven performer like Axar Patel just for match ups? 🤷♂️
— Ajay Ramanathan (@Jaytheauthor94) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is not back in the side????
You got to be kidding me seriously pic.twitter.com/2cXDQL24Bl
— ` (@bdrijalab) February 22, 2026
No Axar Patel for the Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad?
Why did you make him vice-captain then?
Captain Suryakumar Yadav admits the call is very harsh on Axar#T20WorldCup #INDvsSA
— Saurabh Srivastava (@Saurv99) February 22, 2026
SA have rightly opted to bat first and have picked the right combination. Extremely surprised to see india leave out axar patel.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) February 22, 2026
India’s playing XI.
– Axar Patel not playing. pic.twitter.com/doBc26HxjK
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is the backbone of the T20 team. His contribution has often been overlooked. He is a much better player than Washington Sundar in many ways, but it’s hard to understand what the management was thinking when they dropped him from the team, especially in such an… pic.twitter.com/K9CcsLnT2t
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 22, 2026
🚨Axar Patel was dropped today.🚨
He is India’s best spin all-rounder, why drop him?#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Qz0B0pfsho
— INSAF (@MOHMMADINSAF4) February 22, 2026
“Axar Patel’s value goes beyond stats control with the ball, calm finishing, and big-match impact. He’s been one of India’s most reliable T20 performers. Tough to understand leaving him out in a Super 8 game.” https://t.co/oqcDPXYtYU
— चेतन मालुसरे।Chetan Malusare (@MalusareChetanS) February 22, 2026
What exactly has Axar Patel done wrong? It’s hard to understand what extra Washington Sundar is bringing to justify this replacement. And if Axar keeps getting left out, what was the logic behind naming him vice-captain in the first place?
At this point, Axar offers more overall… pic.twitter.com/jbW6VZfncB
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is not in playing 11 today for super 8 game against South Africa.
The decision by captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir has come as a shocking surprise. pic.twitter.com/jRAkoecCOz
— Dileep Balasiya (@DileepBalasiya) February 22, 2026
The audacity to drop Axar fucking patel . Making a literal joke of the term vice captain .#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/PzKEwykmum
— Ashmit🦁 (@ashmit__hu) February 22, 2026
No place for vice captain Axar Patel,
India Vice Captain is such a joke,
GG will definitely destroy Axar Patel Carrer after this World Cup. 🤡Everyone is overconfident.. https://t.co/HuWb2IWysW
— 𝗔𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿🌷 (@onlyaasher) February 22, 2026
Most probably this is the end of Axar Patel in this World Cup. Team management has dropped him for Washington sundar who is good for nothing in white ball cricket, Axar Patel who is our vice captain and has been a big match winner of us is left out because of silliness of Gautam… pic.twitter.com/g7QKMX1X7L
— JB (@93Yorker) February 22, 2026
India brought in Washington Sundar at the expense of vice-captain Axar Patel, a decision Suryakumar Yadav described is a ‘tactical change.’
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is 10x better bowler than Washington. #INDvsSA #ICCT20WorldCup2026
— ℝ𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚊 ℍ𝚘 (@Yunii_que) February 22, 2026
🚨No Vice Captain Axar Patel between India vs South Africa match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad 🚨
Gautam Gambhir & Suryakumar Yadav go with Washington Sundar ahead of Axar Patel in Super 8.
Axar was India’s best spin all-rounder in T20 WC 2024 & Champions Trophy 2025.… pic.twitter.com/0mhtMVeNrW
— All about Cricket (@CricHitmanThala) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is not playing lol
— पार्थ. (@iparthjoshii) February 22, 2026
We failed to hype Axar Patel dropped for super 8 game 🫨 pic.twitter.com/Hss1FrDNOL
— Messi vk Stan (@Im_vkolhi) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel has been dropped because South Africa have three left handers in their batting line-up. Hope Washington Sundar delivers and this tactical call doesn’t cost us.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) February 22, 2026
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