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Chopra Slams India's Axar Patel Omission After T20 World Cup Loss to SA

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has sharply criticized the team management for benching vice-captain Axar Patel in their Super 8 loss to South Africa. He questioned the logic of appointing a player as vice-captain if his place in the playing XI is not secure. Chopra contrasted India's decision with South Africa's, who played their key spinner Keshav Maharaj despite a left-hander-heavy Indian batting lineup. The 76-run defeat marked India's second-biggest loss in T20Is and ended their 12-match unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup.

Key Points: Aakash Chopra Questions Axar Patel's Omission in India's T20WC Loss

  • Axar Patel benched as vice-captain
  • India's 12-match unbeaten streak ends
  • South Africa wins by 76 runs
  • Selection strategy questioned
2 min read

"What team are we playing?": Aakash Chopra on Axar Patel's omission after India's loss to SA in T20WC Super 8 clash

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra criticizes India's team selection after South Africa ends their unbeaten streak in the T20 World Cup Super 8.

"If he is your team's vice-captain, why isn't he a part of the team? - Aakash Chopra"

Ahmedabad, February 23

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the Indian team's playing 11 combination as it suffered defeat at the hands of South Africa in their Super 8 fixture of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Sunday.

Chopra feels India shouldn't have made all-rounder Axar Patel vice-captain if his place in the playing 11 was uncertain.

India went with Washington Sundar in their Super 8 clash against the Proteas, benching the Indian vice-captain. South Africa snapped India's 12-match unbeaten streak at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as they handed the defending champions a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday. This was India's second-biggest defeat by runs in all T20 Internationals behind the 80-run defeats against New Zealand in Wellington in 2019. In T20 World Cup history, India suffered their biggest defeat.

"Where were we left behind? The first thing that comes to my mind is, what team are we playing? You have appointed Axar Patel the vice-captain. If he is your team's vice-captain, why isn't he a part of the team? You needn't have made him the vice-captain," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Chopra believes opting for Sundar over left-arm spinner Patel against the Netherlands in India's last group stage fixture was fine, but felt India made him sit out againstthe Proteas just because they have right-handers on their side.

"You made him sit out in the last match. Never mind, as Washi hadn't played for such a long time, and you played him since you were playing against the Netherlands, but you made him sit out against South Africa. You said it's becoming a negative match-up as there are three left-handers in the opposition," he added.

Chopra also noted that South Africa kept their key left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj in the XI despite India having six left-handers in their batting order, while India's vice-captain was left out.

"Two of the three left-handers bat in the top three, and both were out in two overs. We have six left-handers among our eight batters, and South Africa said they would play Keshav Maharaj because he is their main bowler. They said they won't make Keshav sit out because he is important. For you, your vice-captain is not important. How is that okay?" Chopra concluded.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Feel so bad for Axar bhai. Given the responsibility and then dropped. Team management needs to be more decisive. Sundar is a good player, but you can't bench your VC like this. The comparison with Maharaj is very valid.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, the loss was about more than just one selection. Batting collapsed badly. But yes, this constant chopping and changing creates insecurity. Hope they settle on a combination before the knockouts. 🤞
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US. The strategy seems reactive, not proactive. South Africa backed their player. India needs to back theirs, especially leadership. Confidence is key in a tournament.
V
Vikram M
Yaar, this is typical Indian team management confusion. Too many cooks spoiling the broth. Just let the captain and coach pick the team they want and stick with it. This over-analysis after one loss isn't helpful.
K
Karthik V
With all due respect to Chopra sir, maybe the vice-captaincy was a gesture for his seniority and past performances? Sundar might have been picked for specific conditions. It's a tough call, but the team must move on and focus on the next match.

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