In a blow to India’s T20I campaign, star all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two matches against South Africa due to illness, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday.
Patel, known for his economical left-arm spin and handy lower-order batting, will miss the decisive third and fourth T20Is scheduled in Lucknow and Ahmedabad. Despite the setback, the 31-year-old remains with the team in Lucknow for further medical evaluation, offering hope for a swift recovery.
The BCCI’s Men’s Selection Committee wasted no time in naming Shahbaz Ahmed as Patel’s replacement. The left-handed all-rounder, who has impressed in domestic circuits and limited-overs formats, brings similar skill sets to the table with his spin bowling and aggressive batting. Ahmed’s inclusion bolsters an already formidable squad led by captain Suryakumar Yadav.
This development comes at a crucial juncture in the five-match series, with India aiming to seal a series victory after a mixed start. The Proteas have shown resilience, but India’s depth in all-round talent could prove decisive.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the update in an official media advisory: “Team India all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two IDFC First Bank T20Is against South Africa due to illness. However, he is with the team in Lucknow where he will be further medically assessed. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement for the T20Is in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.”
The updated India squad for the final two T20Is reads as follows:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper)
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Washington Sundar
- Shahbaz Ahmed
Fans will be hoping for Patel’s quick return ahead of India’s packed international calendar, while Shahbaz Ahmed gets a golden opportunity to stake his claim in the white-ball setup. The third T20I is set to commence in Lucknow on December 17, with live coverage across major broadcasters.
