Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif slammed the team’s think tank for playing Washington Sundar ahead of Axar Patel in the Super 8 clash against South Africa, which India lost by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Patel was also dropped for the Group stage match against the Netherlands. The team backed Washington Sundar because of the number of left-handers in the South Africa’s batting line-up.
Patel, despite being the vice-captain of the team, has been surprisingly dropped in the last two games. On the other hand, Washington Sundar returned with figures of 0-17 in two overs he bowled against South Africa. Furthermore, the left-hander was dismissed after scoring a run-a-ball 11.
Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “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.”
Kaif highlighted that Axar has delivered match-winning performances in knockout matches of the major ICC events.
“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.
Patel had also scored a crucial knock of 47 runs off just 31 balls in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
“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.”
India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
