The much awaited Super 8 clash ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and South Africa It kicked off on Sunday, February 22 at the famous Narendra Modi Stadium. With both sides considered strong contenders for the title, fans were expecting a tactical masterclass. However, moments after the toss, social media was abuzz with criticism as Team India decided to appoint a vice-captain. Akhar Patel for a decisive meeting.
South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat first in Ahmedabad. The Proteas made four changes to their XI from the previous group stage match, including bringing back key players Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi and David Millerall had previously rested. The move underscored South Africa’s intention to form its strongest combination for the high-stakes Super 8 fixture.
India remain in an unchanged XI
In contrast, India opted to go with the same XI that featured in their last group stage game against the Netherlands. The decision meant that Akhar, who acted as the vice-captain of the team, lost his chance again.
The call immediately raised eyebrows. Akhar has been one of India’s reliable all-rounders in white-ball cricket, offering balance with both bat and ball. Earlier in the tournament, he played a key role against Pakistan, picking up two crucial wickets and guarding tight lines in the middle innings. His ability to help lower down the order further increases his value in pressure matches.
Indian captain during the toss Suryakumar Yadav He clarified that the expulsion of Akhar was a purely tactical decision. The captain suggested that the team management believed that the current formation offered a better balance against South Africa’s squad. However, the explanation did little to calm the internet storm.
Fans criticize India for not picking Axar Patel in the game
As soon as the playing XI was announced, fans took to social media platforms to express their displeasure. Many supporters questioned how the vice-captain and proven match-winner could be left out in such a critical encounter. Some have alleged poor planning and even pointed to internal politics within the setup.
Criticism was not limited to the captain. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also faced backlash as fans debated the team’s strategic direction in the tournament’s playoffs. The decision was labeled as “illogical” and “hard to understand” by several cricket fans who felt that Axar’s all-round skills could prove decisive against a strong South African batting unit.
With the tournament entering its decisive phase, every selection call must be carefully considered. It remains to be seen if India’s unchanging combination will pay dividends or if Axar’s absence will prove costly. For now, the team management’s bold call has undoubtedly sparked controversy among fans during one of the biggest clashes of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Here’s the fan reaction
No Axar Patel in XI?!
You just have to feel for the vice-captain. A player who was instrumental in winning some tough matches in the last edition in 2024.
Horses for courses?— Vimal Kumar (@Vimalwa) February 22, 2026
Akhar patel was always mistreated by the management, they literally benched this match winner in the super 8 match against South Africa, in the name of a stupid tactical change. Regardless of the results, we literally have the dumbest coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/CBOGbSCL0i
— Garvit_1310 (@GarvitArora1310) February 22, 2026
India made the mistake of dropping Axar Patel in this match…how Bapu batted in last year’s final.#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/H0QETO3mXn
— Hitesh Thakur (@hiteshthakur163) February 22, 2026
Who will answer why vice-captain Axar Patel is not playing?
Any word on captain Suryakumar Yadav or is Gautam Gambhir in full reign?
Surya Kumar Yadav behaves like Gambhir’s cub. pic.twitter.com/TWAxxbe4ca— MARCUS (@MARCUS907935) February 22, 2026
🚨🚨Axar Patel’s exclusion against South Africa raises serious questions. There was no noticeable drop in form or performance to justify the decision.
When given the opportunity, he produced impressive performances, including a Man of the Match against… pic.twitter.com/O2MpoYtuHa
— GillTheWill (@GillTheWill77) February 22, 2026
Washington is no match for the dominance of Sundar Axar Patel’s all-round skills. The Indian captain and Gautam Gambhir must understand this.#INDvsSA #SAvsIND #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Qr1cfXiE04
— Sagar Lohatkar (@sagarlohatkar) February 22, 2026
If God is real then India lose today as the biggest match winner akhar Patel is 11 down.
Politician suryakumar yadav has successfully destroyed another career pic.twitter.com/lUENEXeVQE
— 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘪 (@screwgauge77) February 22, 2026
🚨 Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir really messed up 🚨
– Leaving out Axar Patel against South Africa is puzzling. He is the bowler who broke stubborn partnerships and the mortician who saved India from collapse, more game-changers than we can count.
– It’s difficult… pic.twitter.com/1rv4rQZTLC
— Yash MSdian ™️ 🦁 (@itzyash07) February 22, 2026
Washington plays on Sundar Axar Patel??? Seriously???
This is what we call tactics.
I seriously can’t handle it!!!!
Very Very Hard on Akhar Patel.#indvssa #INDvsSA #ICCMensT20WorldCup2026 #slvseng #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/FWl9DZ74QM— Lakshya Bhadauria (@IamLakshya18) February 22, 2026
Vice-captains are overrated in cricket. But should you really leave a proven performer like Axar Patel only for matches? 🤷♂️
— Ajay Ramanathan (@Jaythauthor94) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel didn’t come back????
You seriously have got to be kidding me pic.twitter.com/2cXDQL24Bl
— ` (@bdrijalab) February 22, 2026
No Axar Patel for Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad?
Then why did you make him vice-captain?
Captain Suryakumar Yadav admits the challenge was too harsh on Axar#T20WorldCup #INDvsSA
— Saurabh Srivastava (@Saurv99) February 22, 2026
SA rightly chose to bat first and picked the right combination. He was very surprised that India left Akhar Patel.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) February 22, 2026
India playing XI.
– Akhar Patel is not playing. pic.twitter.com/doBc26HxjK
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is the backbone of the T20 team. His contribution is often overlooked. He is a much better player than Washington Sundar in many ways, but it is hard to understand what the management was thinking when they dropped him from the team, especially in a… pic.twitter.com/K9CcsLnT2t
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 22, 2026
🚨Axar Patel was dropped today.🚨
He is India’s best spinner, why drop him?#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Qz0B0pfsho
— INSAF (@MOHMMADINSAF4) February 22, 2026
“Axar Patel’s value goes beyond statistical control with the ball, quiet finishing and big match impact. He has been one of India’s most reliable T20 performers. It is hard to see him being dropped in a Super 8 game.” https://t.co/oqcDPXYtYU
– Chetan Malusare. Chetan Malusare (@MalusareChetanS) February 22, 2026
What exactly did Axar Patel do wrong? It is difficult to understand what Washington Sundar brings to justify this replacement. And if Akhar is consistently left out, what was the logic behind naming him vice-captain in the first place?
At this point Akhar offers more… pic.twitter.com/jbW6VZfncB
— Vipin Tiwari (@VipinTiwari952) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is not in the 11 for the super 8 game against South Africa today.
The decision of captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir came as a shocking surprise. pic.twitter.com/jRAkoecCOz
— Dileep Balasiya (@DileepBalasia) February 22, 2026
Dare to throw a damn patel. Literally making fun of the term vice-captain.#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/PzKEwykmum
— Ashmit🦁 (@ashmit__hu) February 22, 2026
No place for vice-captain Axar Patel,
India’s vice-captain is such a joke,
GG will definitely destroy Axar Patel Karre after this World Cup. 🤡Everyone is overconfident. https://t.co/HuWb2IWysW
— 𝗔𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗻 (@onlyaasher) February 22, 2026
Probably the end of Axar Patel in this World Cup. The team management dropped him to Washington, Sundar, who was good for nothing in white-ball cricket, Axar Patel, our vice-captain and a big match-winner, was left out because of Gautam’s stupidity … pic.twitter.com/g7QKMX1X7L
— JB (@93Yorker) February 22, 2026
Sundar’s assistant captain Axar Patel, who was brought to Washington from India, explained that a decision by Suryakumar Yadav was a ‘tactical change’.
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is 10 times better bowler than Washington. #INDvsSA #ICCT20WorldCup2026
— ℝ𝚊𝚊𝚊𝚍𝚊 (@Yunii_que) February 22, 2026
🚨Vice-captain Axar Patel absent from India vs South Africa match at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 🚨
Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav with Washington Sundar ahead of Axar Patel in Super 8.
Akhar was India’s best spin all-rounder in T20 WC 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025.… pic.twitter.com/0mhtMVeNrW
– All About Cricket (@CricHitmanThala) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel is not kidding lol
– Part. (@iparthjoshii) February 22, 2026
We couldn’t confuse Axar Patel, who was dropped for the Super 8 game 🫨 pic.twitter.com/Hss1FrDNOL
— Messi vs Stan (@Im_vkolhi) February 22, 2026
Axar Patel has been dropped as South Africa have three left-handers in their batting line-up. We hope that Washington Sundar delivers and this tactical challenge does not cost us.
— RATNISH (@LoyalSachinFan) February 22, 2026
Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026 – Dasun Shanaka’s shot dismisses Tom Banton in SL vs ENG Super 8
