IND v SA 2025: Axar Patel ruled out of remaining two T20Is against South Africa; BCCI names replacement

Axar wasn’t available for selection in the third T20I due to illness.

India all-rounder Axar Patel will continue to remain absent from the remaining two T20Is of the five-match series against South Africa, BCCI confirmed on Monday (December 15).

Axar wasn’t available for selection in the third T20I at Dharamsala on Sunday (December 14) due to illness. However, he will travel with the team to Lucknow – the venue for the penultimate T20I match.

“Team India allrounder, Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two IDFC First Bank T20Is against South Africa due to illness,” BCCI’s official release stated.

“However, he is with the team in Lucknow where he will be further medically assessed,” it added.

The Men’s Selection Committee has named Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement for the T20Is in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

Having gained a 2-1 lead, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team will look to clinch the series in the fourth T20I against South Africa at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (December 17).

India’s updated squad for last two T20Is: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed