New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged India to include both all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in their playing XI for their all-importantSuper Eight clash against Zimbabwe
in the T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday, February 26. The Zimbabwe clash is a must-win game for India after their crushing 76-run defeat against South Africa in their Super 8 opener last week.
India need to win both their remaining matches in the Super Eight stage to remain in contention for a spot in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026. India's defeat against the Proteas marked an end to their four-match unbeaten streak in the tournament and pushed them to the verge of an early exit.
Ahead of their remaining two Super Eight games, there has been a lot of debate around what should be India's final combination. The Indian team management was blasted by many for preferring Sundar over Axar in the clash against South Africa, a decision that backfired spectacularly.
India's coaches Ryan Ten Doeschate and Sitanshu Kotak explained the decision to play Sundar over Axar was taken keeping match-ups in mind. South Africa had a number of left-handers in their XI which prompted India to play Sundar over left-arm spinner Axar, however, the move flopped.
Shastri has urged the Indian team to play both Axar and Sundar in the XI to have an extra bowling option. While he insisted vice-captain Axar should return to the playing XI, Shastri said Sundar can also play alongside the left-arm all-rounder.
"I think they have to bring him (Axar Patel) back. You need that experience," Shastri told ICC Review.
"I would say play both (Patel and Sundar). Give yourself that extra option. Because on a given day, you're bound to have one bowler who's going to have an off day. Like, for example, Varun Chakravarthy on Sunday. He was not at his best, and he paid the price for it," added the former India head coach.
Should Washington Sundar replace Rinku Singh?
India might have to make a forced change in their XI even if they aren't considering making one. Batter Rinku Singh returned home on Tuesday due to a family emergency and is likely to miss India's Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
His absence opens a spot in the team, allowing Sundar and Axar to play together. In Rinku's absence, one of Axar or Sundar can slot in at no.8. Shastri said eight batters should be enough to do the job in T20Is and that Rinku should replace a batter in the XI when he returns to the side.
"Now, if eight batters can't do the job in T20 cricket, then something's wrong, especially with that kind of firepower," said Shastri.
"Where you're missing out is you're not giving yourself that extra option of a bowler, which I think is important. Rinku Singh might have to miss out. But if he has to come in, he has to come in place of a specialist batter," he added.
India will lock horns with Zimbabwe in their second Super Eight match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday before taking on West Indies in their final Super Eight match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 01. India need to win both matches to stand a chance at qualifying for the semifinals.
