Dropping Axar Patel in IND vs SA was my mistake, I apologised: Suryakumar Yadav

T20 World Cup: India's only defeat in their triumphant T20 World Cup 2026 campaign came with a selection call that later haunted the team management. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has now admitted dropping Axar Patel for the South Africa clash was his mistake.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted that leaving out Axar Patel for a key match during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 was his mistake. The skipper revealed that Axar was understandably upset with the decision, prompting him to personally apologise to the all-rounder after the game.

The decision came during India’s Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad, which turned out to be India’s only defeat of the tournament. Axar had earlier missed the group-stage match against the Netherlands due to a minor injury concern, but his exclusion against South Africa was a tactical decision as Washington Sundar was included instead. Speaking to The Indian Express, Suryakumar said the conversation with Axar after the match was difficult.

"He (Axar Patel) was very angry — and he should have been. He’s an experienced player, he leads a franchise. He should be angry," Suryakumar said.

"I apologised. I told him I made a mistake, and I’m sorry, but it was a call for the team. It was a hard conversation. He took it in his stride and we talked it through the next day."

India suffered a heavy 76-run defeat in that Super 8 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and the decision to drop Axar became one of the most debated selection calls of the tournament.

India quickly corrected the decision by bringing Axar back into the side for their next Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe national cricket team.