India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate defended the team management’s selection calls after South Africa handed India a crushing 76-run defeat in their Super 8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
The loss marked India’s first defeat in 18 ICC white-ball matches since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It was also India’s second-biggest defeat by runs in T20 Internationals, behind the 80-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington in 2019, and their heaviest margin of defeat in T20 World Cup history.
Addressing the media after the match, ten Doeschate revealed that the team management had spent considerable time debating the playing XI, including the decision to leave out vice-captain Axar Patel.
“We spent a lot of time deliberating over the XI in the last couple of days. The only way it probably didn’t play into our hands was that we actually got the ideal start by dismissing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton early,” he said.
He explained that India’s selection strategy was built around middle-overs match-ups and strengthening the batting depth. The team opted for Washington Sundar over Axar Patel, while including Rinku Singh as an additional batter.
“We were looking at match-ups more in the middle overs. Then someone has to make way. Do we leave out a batter and add another bowler? In hindsight, it may look different, but at the time we felt we needed Rinku as the eighth batter. The decision flowed from there,” ten Doeschate said.
He clarified that Axar’s omission was purely tactical and not a reflection of his value to the team. “It certainly doesn’t take anything away from Axar, his leadership or how important he is to this side.”
Ten Doeschate acknowledged the growing selection dilemma due to the depth in the squad. “Almost every week we’re trying to squeeze 11 spots out of 15 players. It’s not easy. We have to get it right in the next two Super 8 matches,” he added.
Responding to questions about Sundar’s limited appearances for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, he dismissed the relevance of franchise form. “You have to consider the composition of his IPL team. We know what Washi has done for India and judge him based on that.”
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A significant part of the strategy, he said, revolved around Sundar’s ability to bowl in the powerplay. “The plan was to use him in the powerplay alongside three frontline bowlers, with two others sharing the fifth bowler’s role. Winning the powerplay was crucial. We anticipated him bowling two overs upfront, but with them at 30 for 3, the situation changed.”
He added that South Africa’s left-handed batsmen, including Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and David Miller, influenced the decision. “We felt most of the threat would come from the left-handers. When you can only pick one between Axar and Washington, we chose Washington because of his powerplay effectiveness.”
Ten Doeschate admitted that since Sundar did not bowl in the powerplay as planned, the move now appears to have been purely middle-overs focused — a scenario where Axar might have been the more obvious choice.
“In a tournament like this, players have to understand that selections are made with the best intentions for the team. I hope Axar sees it that way,” he said.
He also clarified that the batting role would have remained unchanged even if Axar had played. “If Axar had been in the XI, he would have walked in at the same position — around 20 for 3 — as part of our standard approach to stabilize before Hardik and Shivam.”
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