Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has urged defending champions India to field both all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in their crucial World T20 2026 Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
India face a must-win situation after suffering a 76-run loss to South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The loss ended India’s 12-match winning streak in the last two editions of the tournament and put pressure on the team ahead of the remaining Super Eight matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday.
The team management’s decision to bench vice-captain Axar Patel in favor of Sundar against South Africa received sharp criticism from experts and fans. Sundar bowled just two overs, conceding 17 runs without a wicket and scoring 11 off 11 balls at number five.
TACTICAL MATCH BACK
Captain At the toss, Suryakumar Yadav explained that Sundar’s choice was tacticalI focused on going up against South Africa’s three left-handed batsmen in their top five. The right-handed off-spinner was expected to deflect the ball away from left-handers, unlike Axara’s left-handed spinner, who would be easier to attack.
However, the strategy did not yield results. Varun Chakravarthy’s struggles compounded India’s bowling woes, leaving the team with no choice.
SHASTRI DOES A DUAL SPIN ATTACK
“I think he (Axar Patel) has to be brought back. You need that experience,” Shastri told ICC Review, advocating the vice-captain’s return to the playing XI.
“I would say play both (Patel and Sundar). Give yourself that extra option. Because on a given day you have to have one bowler who is off. Like Varun Chakravarthy on Sunday. He wasn’t at his best and he paid for it,” the former coach added.
Shastri outlined a batting order that could accommodate both spinners. With Hardik Pandya at number five, Shivam Dub at number six and Sundar at number seven, Axar could slot in at number eight or even move up to number five if required.
RINKU SINGH’S ABSENCE OPENS THE DOOR
The selection equation was complicated by the batter Rinku Singh’s absence due to a family emergency. The left-hander is unlikely to be available for Thursday’s game against Zimbabwe.
“Now, if eight batsmen can’t do the job in T20 cricket, then there is something wrong, especially with this kind of firepower,” Shastri told ICC Review. “You’re missing out by not giving yourself an extra bowler option, which I think is important. Rinku Singh may have to miss out. But if he has to come, he has to come in for a specialist batsman.”
Rinku’s absence could allow India to replace him directly with Axar, giving the team the extra bowling option that Shastri advocates without upsetting the balance of the specialist batsmen.
India will have to regroup quickly. After Zimbabwe, they face the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday to complete their Super Eight campaign. With the title defense on the line, the team management will face crucial selection and strategy decisions in the coming days.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 25, 2026
