Heartbreak in Ahmedabad: India suffered a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in a pivotal T20 World Cup Super 8 encounter. The Narendra Modi Stadium buzzed with disappointment, but fury peaked over dropping all-rounder Axar Patel for Washington Sundar. Seasoned batter Ajinkya Rahane led the charge, slamming the management for an inexplicable choice.
Rahane pulled no punches: ‘Shocked that Axar was left out. What’s going on?’ Acknowledging Sundar’s skills, he argued Axar’s versatility and record against left-handers made him indispensable. Dismissing the strategy of countering SA’s left-rich lineup with off-spin, Rahane invoked Keshav Maharaj as proof that assumptions fail.
‘You play your best, proven assets – especially vice-captains,’ he asserted. Ten Doeschate revealed the rationale: countering de Kock, Rickelton, and Miller with powerplay-friendly spin. Sundar, however, faltered – 0/17 in two overs and 11 runs batting.
Toss-won South Africa hit 187/7; India limped to 111. Semifinal dreams dimmed, this loss amplifies selection scrutiny. Rahane’s outspoken critique demands introspection, urging India to trust stars like Axar for tournament revival.