New Delhi: Vice-captain Axar Patel was once again left out of the playing XI as India locked horns with South Africa in their opening game in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, February 22. Both teams will be aiming to keep their unbeaten run intact after winning all four matches in the group stage.
The much-awaited clash is a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados, where India edged the Proteas by 7 runs in a thriller to clinch the trophy. The defending champions have enjoyed a fine run in the tournament so far and will be hoping to make it five wins in a row against South Africa in their Super 8 opener.
There was a major surprise from India in the playing XI against the Proteas as the hosts decided not to include vice-captain Axar Patel in the side. After getting rested for their last game against Netherlands, Axar was expected to return to the XI in the Super Eight clash against South Africa.
However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav explained it was a tactical call to not include the left-hander. India fielded an unchanged XI in the game, keeping Washington Sundar in place of Axar. The decision came as a surprise to many, considering Axar is the vice-captain of the Indian team and has performed decently in the tournament so far.
“It’s very harsh on Axar Patel, but we’re going with the same team – just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game,” Suryakumar said at the toss, explaining that the decision to keep Axar out was purely a tactical call.
India persist with Abhishek Sharma despite poor run
India made no changes in their top order as they persisted with swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma despite his horror run in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The explosive batter is yet to get off the mark in the tournament, having been dismissed on a duck for three matches in a row. Abhishek has as many as five ducks in his last eight innings in T20Is, but continues to retain the backing of the Indian team management.
Meanwhile, South Africa made four changes to their playing XI for the all-important game, bringing back pacer Lungi Ngidi, all-rounder Marco Jansen, spinner Keshav Maharaj and senior batter David Miller, who were all rested for their last game against UAE.
Playing XIs:
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
South Africa: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
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