Axar ruled out of last two T20Is against South Africa after the Indian team management confirmed that the all-rounder is still unwell. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Axar Patel will miss the matches in Lucknow and Ahmedabad, while Shahbaz Ahmed will replace him in the squad.
According to the BCCI, Axar has travelled with the team to Lucknow, where doctors will continue to monitor his condition. However, he will not take part in the remaining games. Earlier, illness had already forced him to sit out the third T20I in Dharamsala.
Meanwhile, India managed well despite key absences. In the third match, Jasprit Bumrah also remained unavailable due to personal reasons. Even so, the team brought in Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana and secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.
Axar Patel’s performance in the series so far
- Match 1 (Cuttack): 23 runs off 21 balls and 2 wickets for 7 runs
- Match 2 (New Chandigarh): 21 runs while chasing 214 and 1 wicket
- Match 3 (Dharamsala): Missed due to illness
Although his returns stayed mixed, Axar contributed with both bat and ball and gave balance to the side.
As a result of his absence, selectors opted for a like-for-like replacement. Shahbaz Ahmed, a left-arm spinning all-rounder, now joins the squad. He last played international cricket during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Shahbaz Ahmed at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 31 |
| India appearances | 3 ODIs, 2 T20Is |
| Last T20I | Asian Games final 2023 |
| Recent domestic form | 60 runs, 4 wickets in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy |
However, Shahbaz has not enjoyed a standout domestic season. Still, team management believes his skill set suits the conditions and offers depth in both departments.
Looking ahead, India will play the fourth T20I in Lucknow on December 17. After that, both teams will move to Ahmedabad for the series finale on December 19. Importantly, India currently holds a narrow lead, which keeps the contest alive.
India squad for last two T20Is (updated)
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
- Hardik Pandya
- Tilak Varma
- Shivam Dube
- Washington Sundar
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Others as announced
Overall, team officials will hope Axar recovers soon, especially with a busy international calendar ahead. For now, fans will watch how India adapts, as Axar ruled out of last two T20Is changes the balance of the side.
