'Axar Patel wasn't happy when he was dropped': Suryakumar Yadav explains Gautam Gambhir’s tough selection calls in T20 World Cup

On the eve of T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, India captain Suryakumar Yadav made a candid revelation regarding the team's decision-making process. He clarified that he and head coach Gautam Gambhir are the primary architects behind the team's 'tough calls', emphasising a unified leadership approach. This statement comes as the team reflects on the strategic risks taken throughout the tournament to reach the summit clash.

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Axar wasn’t happy when he was dropped: Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar specifically addressed the controversial decision to drop vice-captain Axar Patel during the Super 8 stage against South Africa. After being rested for the final group game against the Netherlands to give Washington Sundar an opportunity, the management made the surprising choice to stick with Sundar for the high-stakes match against the Proteas. Suryakumar admitted that the move was purely tactical, based on specific player match-ups, though he acknowledged that Axar was understandably unhappy with being sidelined.

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'Tough calls are taken by Gautam Gambhir and me'

The gamble ultimately backfired, as India suffered a significant 76-run defeat in that fixture. Despite the backlash from fans and pundits following the loss, the captain stood by the process, noting that such difficult selections are made with the team's best interests in mind. He highlighted that they make it a point to communicate the exact reasoning to any player being left out to ensure transparency within the squad.

"Tough calls are taken by Gautam Gambhir and me. Axar wasn’t happy when he was dropped, but these things happen. Sanju, we realised we needed and it was a positive call," Suryakumar said at the pre-match press conference.

Washington Sundar’s opportunity in the high-stakes clash against South Africa saw him play a limited role, bowling only two overs and contributing 11 runs during India's unsuccessful pursuit of 188. Following that 76-run defeat, Axar Patel returned to the starting XI for the subsequent Super 8 match against Zimbabwe and has remained a fixture in the lineup ever since.

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