India’s Tactical Shift: Why Washington Sundar Continues to Feature Over Axar Patel

The Indian cricket team’s continued preference for Washington Sundar over Axar Patel in key T20 World Cup 2026 matches has sparked debate among fans and analysts. Despite Patel’s strong form and vice-captaincy, the team management has opted for Sundar in recent games, including the Super 8 fixture against South Africa on February 22, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This decision, described as “tactical” by captain Suryakumar Yadav, centers around match-specific strategies and exploiting opposition weaknesses.

Axar Patel’s Recent Form and Omission

Axar Patel had previously been rested for the match against the Netherlands, with Washington Sundar taking his place. This wasn’t an isolated incident; Patel was again overlooked for the Super 8 clash against South Africa. Prior to being dropped, Patel had demonstrated impressive form in the tournament, claiming 6 wickets in 3 games. His statistics included:

• vs USA: 4.0 overs, 2 maidens, 26 runs, 1 wicket, economy of 6.50
• vs Namibia: 3.0 overs, 1 maiden, 26 runs, 1 wicket, economy of 8.66
• vs Pakistan: 4.0 overs, 2 maidens, 27 runs, 2 wickets, economy of 6.75

The Rationale Behind Sundar’s Selection

According to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, the decision to favor Sundar stems from a strategic assessment of the opposition lineup. The team identified Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and David Miller as key threats, and Sundar’s off-spin was deemed more effective against these left-handed batsmen. “When you can only pick one of the two options, we leaned towards someone who could bowl in the powerplay,” ten Doeschate explained. ESPNcricinfo.

Sundar’s ability to exert pressure in the powerplay was a crucial factor, with the team hoping he would bowl two overs upfront. The strategy also involved utilizing Sundar alongside frontline bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, with two other players sharing the fifth-bowler’s role.

Balancing the Team Composition

Ten Doeschate emphasized that the decision wasn’t a reflection of Axar Patel’s capabilities or leadership. The challenge lies in fitting 11 players into a squad of 15, requiring difficult choices based on the specific demands of each match. ESPNcricinfo reported that the team also considered the necessitate for an extra batting option, leading to the inclusion of Rinku Singh as an eighth batsman.

Looking Ahead

Despite a recent setback, ten Doeschate urged the team to move forward and focus on upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies. He acknowledged that the team had “messed up on a grand scale” but stressed the importance of bouncing back with strong performances to secure a spot in the next round of the tournament. ESPNcricinfo. The team will need at least four points from these matches to advance.