T20 World Cup 2026: ‘You won the semifinal and final because of him’ - Mohammad Kaif slams Axar Patel omission in Super Eight clash

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his disappointment with the team management’s decision to drop Axar Patel for India’s Super Eight clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 22. At the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav described the inclusion of Washington Sundar over the left-arm spinner as a tactical decision.

Kaif, however, disagreed with the reasoning behind the move. He stated that leaving out Axar solely because South Africa had several left-handed batters was not the right approach. While acknowledging that Sundar, as an off-spinner, may have been chosen for favourable matchups, Kaif questioned whether that alone justified Axar’s omission. He further pointed out that India had won the T20 World Cup 2024 without a frontline off-spinner in the playing XI.

"All great captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma aimed to form one playing XI that covered all the bases. It wasn't like our left-arm spinner won't play because there are many lefties in the opposition team. This shows that you are lacking in preparation. Who were the off-spinners in our team when we won the T20 World Cup in 2024? There was no Washington Sundar or R Ashwin,” said Kaif on YouTube.

The 45-year-old pointed out that Axar has consistently proved himself in ICC events by delivering impactful performances, particularly in knockout matches. In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Axar has scored 14 runs and taken three wickets across three appearances.

"Axar was the Player of the Match against England in the semifinal. He dismissed Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Moeen Ali. Moeen Ali was a lefty. How did he get out to him then? Sir, aise nahi hota. Keshav Maharaj took wickets. When you play someone and give him confidence by backing him, he can do anything,” said Kaif.

"Axar Patel is a proven match-winner in ICC events. According to me, he should have been the Player of the Match in the T20 World Cup 2024 final for his cameo. Virat Kohli's strike rate was 128, and Axar Patel's strike rate was 150. He hit four sixes in that match. You have won the semifinal and final because of him, but you brushed him aside,” he added.

The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that India should include Axar in the playing XI regardless of how many left-handed batters are in the opposition lineup. He further remarked that the decision to leave Axar out sent a message that the team management may have panicked ahead of the crucial fixture.

"Make him play so that he improves against left-handers. He can surely do it. I was surprised by the last-minute call. It showed that we were in panic. They were normal despite losing the final against us, but we were panicking and making changes,” said Kaif.