India suffered a crushing 76-run defeat against South Africa in their Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22).
After the loss, India’s decision to leave out vice-captain Axar Patel from the playing XI came under severe scrutiny. Instead, the team management opted to go with Washington Sundar to counter the Proteas left-handers.
Ahead of the do-or-die Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday (February 26), former India head coach Ravi Shastri suggested the defending champions to field both spin all-rounders Axar and Sundar in the lineup.
"I think they have to bring him (Axar Patel) back. You need that experience," Shastri told ICC Review.
"I would say play both (Patel and Sundar). Give yourself that extra option. Because on a given day, you're bound to have one bowler who's going to have an off day. Like, for example, Varun Chakaravarthy on Sunday. He was not at his best, and he paid the price for it," he added.
Shastri outlined a batting order that could see Sundar and Axar featuring at No. 7 and 8, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube coming in at No. 5 and 6.
The selection equation has been complicated by batter Rinku Singh's absence due to a medical emergency in the family. The southpaw is unlikely to be available for the Zimbabwe game.
"Now, if eight batters can't do the job in T20 cricket, then something's wrong, especially with that kind of firepower," Shastri said. "Where you're missing out is you're not giving yourself that extra option of a bowler, which I think is important. Rinku Singh might have to miss out. But if he has to come in, he has to come in place of a specialist batter."
The Men in Blue are facing a must-win situation in their remaining Super 8 fixtures to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals. Two back-to-back wins might also not be enough, as the Net Run Rate took a severe hit after the thrashing at the hands of Proteas.
After Zimbabwe, India will face West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata to complete their Super 8 campaign.
