Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed disappointment over Axar Patel being dropped from India’s playing XI against South Africa in the Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 22. At the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav said Washington Sundar was selected as a tactical choice.
Kaif did not agree with the decision. He said leaving out Axar only because South Africa had many left-handed batters was not the right approach. He accepted that Sundar, an off-spinner, could be useful in certain match-ups. However, he questioned whether that alone was enough to drop a proven performer. He also reminded that India won the T20 World Cup 2024 without a frontline off-spinner.
“All great captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma aimed to form one playing XI that covered all the bases. It wasn’t like our left-arm spinner won’t play because there are many lefties in the opposition team. This shows that you are lacking in preparation. Who were the off-spinners in our team when we won the T20 World Cup in 2024? There was no Washington Sundar or R Ashwin,” said Kaif on YouTube.
Mohammed Kaif backs Axar Patel’s big-match record
The 45-year-old said Axar has repeatedly delivered in ICC tournaments, especially knockout games. In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Axar has scored 14 runs and taken three wickets in three matches.
“Axar was the Player of the Match against England in the semifinal. He dismissed Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Moeen Ali. Moeen Ali was a lefty. How did he get out to him then? Sir, aise nahi hota. Keshav Maharaj took wickets. When you play someone and give him confidence by backing him, he can do anything,” said Kaif.
He also praised Axar’s performance in the 2024 final.
“Axar Patel is a proven match-winner in ICC events. According to me, he should have been the Player of the Match in the T20 World Cup 2024 final for his cameo. Virat Kohli’s strike rate was 128, and Axar Patel’s strike rate was 150. He hit four sixes in that match. You have won the semifinal and final because of him, but you brushed him aside,” he added.
Kaif concluded that Axar should play regardless of opposition combinations. He felt the last-minute change showed panic before an important game.
“Make him play so that he improves against left-handers. He can surely do it. I was surprised by the last-minute call. It showed that we were in panic. They were normal despite losing the final against us, but we were panicking and making changes,” said Kaif.
