Team India’s batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate backed the call to bench vice-captain Axar Patel for the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 fixture against South Africa. He stated that the team management believed Washington Sundar presented more favorable match-ups against the Proteas line-up, while also allowing the side to include Rinku Singh at No. 8.
South Africa thrashed India by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22, during the Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. Batting first, the Proteas made 187/7 before dismissing India for 111 in 18.5 overs. The omission of Axar from the XI for such a key encounter sparked widespread debate among fans and experts.
Addressing the media after the match, Ten Doeschate explained the reasoning behind the decision, saying:
“We spent so much time deliberating about the XI the last couple of days. And I guess the only way that it sort of didn’t play into our hands is we did have the ideal start like we did today, getting Quinton [de Kock] and [Ryan] Rickleton out so early. We were kind of looking at match-ups more in the middle. And then, obviously, someone has to give way.”
“So, do we leave a batter out and get another bowler in? in hindsight, that looks like the right decision. At the time, we felt we needed Rinku as an eighth batsman, and the decision was based around there. But certainly, it’s not to take anything away from Axar Patel and his leadership and how important he is to the team,” the former Netherlands cricketer explained.
“We’ve Messed Up”: Ryan ten Doeschate On India’s T20 WC 2026 Loss
Looking back at India’s 76-run defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash on Sunday, Ryan ten Doeschate conceded that it was an extremely disappointing outing. He admitted the defeat dented India’s semifinal chances but urged the team to bounce back quickly, saying:
“Very disappointed in the performance. But when you set out to win a World Cup, don’t expect someone to come deliver the World Cup to you halfway through the competition. We understand we’ve made a lot of mistakes tonight. You probably are allowed one mess up in this phase of the competition. And we’ve messed up on a grand scale.”
“Now, the onus is on this group of guys to turn around and put in two solid performances against Zimbabwe and West Indies,” he concluded.
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