Ravichandran Ashwin got angry on playing Washington Sundar in place of Axar Patel, said – ‘He is your MVP’

IND vs SA: Team India had to face defeat in the very first match of the Super-8 round of T-20 World Cup 2026. This is India’s first defeat in this tournament. Since then this is being discussed in the corridors of cricket. Some are counting the captain’s mistakes, while some are blaming the batsmen for the defeat. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his displeasure over playing Washington Sundar in place of Axar Patel.

What did Ravichandran Ashwin say?

Former Indian star cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his displeasure over playing Washington Sundar in place of Axar Patel. He says that Akshar is your most valuable player. He played an important role in India winning the title in the last tournament also. In such a situation, Ashwin is now unhappy with the decision to make him sit out.

Ravichandran Ashwin said, ‘I agree 100 percent that Washington Sundar should be used against left-handed batsmen. But Akshar Patel has been your MVP in T20 cricket. Last time when the Indian team was in trouble against South Africa, Akshar Patel partnered with Virat Kohli to take the team beyond 170. Kohli had experience, but Akshar is no less than anyone.

South Africa win by 76 runs in Ahmedabad. #TeamIndia set their sights on a turnaround in the next game.

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ZE8J4fF18z#T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvSApic.twitter.com/xBIBwjEEmF

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 22, 2026

Ashwin also spoke about the match-up

The management had included Washington Sundar in the team as a ‘match-up’ against the left-handed batsmen of South Africa. But, Ashwin does not consider this strategy right. He says that it can work in tournaments like IPL, but not in ICC tournaments.

Ashwin said, ‘Match-ups can work in a long tournament like IPL because there you have to play 14 matches. But stability is most important in ICC tournaments.

How was Sundar’s performance?

Washington Sundar had a disappointing performance in the match played with South Africa. Neither was he able to take wickets in bowling and while batting he scored only 11 runs in 11 balls.

Also read: Had Virat Kohli been there, India would not have lost to South Africa, the figures themselves are testifying to this.