New Delhi, February 23: Following India’s 76-run defeat against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026, Ravichandran Ashwin has pointed fingers at team selection, expressing dissatisfaction over the preference given to Washington Sundar over Axar Patel.
In a discussion on his YouTube channel ‘Ash’s Talk’, Ashwin acknowledged the importance of IPL matchups but emphasized the need for team adjustments, especially in ICC events where fewer changes are preferable.
Ashwin expressed his disappointment regarding Axar’s exclusion, stating, “I completely agree that Washington Sundar should be used against left-handed batsmen, which is why you want him in the team. However, we must not forget what Axar Patel has done for T20 cricket.”
He highlighted Axar’s impressive performance in the previous World Cup final against South Africa, where he played a crucial role in a partnership with Virat Kohli that helped India chase a challenging target. Ashwin noted, “If the Indian team had a few wickets in hand and stability in the middle overs, they could have chased down the target.”
Additionally, Ashwin raised concerns about the batting order, questioning why Rinku Singh was batting at number eight. He remarked, “You have eight batsmen, yet Rinku is in this position. You can’t send him to bat there. South Africa has taught Team India that you cannot step onto the field unprepared.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
