Team India’s batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended the decision to leave vice-captain Axar Patel out of the playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against South Africa. Ten Doeschate explained that the management felt Washington Sundar offered better match-ups against the Proteas batters, adding that they also wanted Rinku Singh at No. 8.

South Africa hammered India by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22 in the Super 8 clash of T20 World Cup 2026. Batting first after winning the toss, the Proteas put by 187-7 on the board and then knocked over India for 111 in 18.5 overs.

India’s decision to leave out Axar from the playing XI for the crucial T20 World Cup 2026 match led to plenty of debate among experts and fans. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ten Doeschate shed some light on the move and said:

“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 and his leadership and how important he is to the team,” the former Netherlands cricketer explained.

Sundar failed to have much of an impact in the Super 8 clash against South Africa. He bowled two overs and registered figures of 0-17. With the bat, he made a run-a-ball 11. Rinku also failed to deliver, perishing for a duck.

“We’ve messed up on a grand scale” – Ryan ten Doeschate on India’s T20 World Cup 2026 loss to SA

Reflecting in detail on India’s 76-run loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match on Sunday, Ten Doeschate admitted that it was hugely disappointing performance. He also hinted that India have done serious damage to their chances of reaching the semifinals, but urged the boys to pull up their socks. The Team India batting coach stated:

“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.

India’s next match Super 8 match in T20 World Cup 2026 is against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 26.