Why won't Axar Patel play in the 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eights match between India and South Africa?

Axar Patel has been benched for India's crucial Super Eights match against South Africa at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Being the vice-captain must be difficult for the all-rounder, but the team management wants to support the same playing XI, according to captain Suryakumar Yadav. It indicates that Washington Sundar has kept his position, and Sanju Samson is still waiting.

After the toss, Suryakumar remarked, "It's very harsh on Axar Patel, but we're going with the same team - just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game."

Interestingly, the captain of South Africa chose to bat first after winning the toss. Every expert had said that bowling first would be the best option prior to the toss, but Markram clarified that the wicket appeared to be dry. As the game goes on, he anticipates that it will slow down.

"We're going to bat first; this wicket is excellent and much drier than what we've seen. It's a pleasant place to be right now, and the boys appear to be in good shape. This is a black soil pitch, and we have had the good fortune to play a few games here," Markram remarked.

Meanwhile, South Africa's playing XI has undergone four changes. After being rested for their final group stage match against the United Arab Emirates, Keshav, Marco Jansen, and David Miller have returned.

However, Suryakumar was happy to bowl first. The 35-year-old initially stated that he would bat first, but he is willing to accept the challenge.

Actually, I wanted to bat first, but that's alright. There was a small amount of wicket when they were bowling first, so why not take advantage of that? We played here two or three days ago. We're glad to bowl first," Suryakumar remarked.

Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (w), Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav (c)

Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram (c), (wk),