Indian all-rounder Axar Patel was unexpectedly stripped of his T20I vice-captaincy when chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Suryakumar Yadav announced the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday, August 19.
Axar Patel had been appointed deputy to Suryakumar for the recent England T20I series, where he delivered an impressive performance. The Gujarat cricketer picked up six wickets in five matches, averaging 16.50 with the ball while maintaining an economy rate of 7.07. His efforts played a key role in India’s 4-1 series win.
Despite his good showing, the selectors handed the vice-captaincy to Shubman Gill, who last featured in a T20I in July 2024, raising eyebrows among fans and former cricketers alike.
Mohammad Kaif Backs Axar Patel
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif expressed his disappointment at the manner in which the change was made, showing support for the 30-year-old all-rounder. Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, Kaif suggested that Axar deserved better communication.
“𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝑨𝒙𝒂𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆-𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑨𝒙𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈, 𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏,” 𝑲𝒂𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆.
This empathetic message has sparked debate over the selection committee’s decision and whether Axar’s consistent contributions have been undervalued.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Campaign
India has been placed in Group A alongside the UAE, Pakistan, and Oman. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10, followed by high-profile clashes against Pakistan and Oman. All group stage matches, as well as the final on September 28, will be hosted at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India enters the competition as the most successful team in Asia Cup history, boasting eight titles. They are also the defending champions, having triumphed in the 2023 edition held in Sri Lanka.
With Axar Patel still part of the squad, fans will closely watch how the all-rounder responds on the field amid this unexpected leadership snub.
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