Axar Patel Ruled Out of Remaining SA T20Is

Big blow for India, All-rounder Axar Patel is ruled out of the final two South Africa T20Is due to illness, jeopardizing India's series lead. Left-arm spinning all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been called up as the replacement. His departure forces India to recalibrate their spin strategy ahead of the crucial Lucknow and Ahmedabad fixtures.

Axar Patel Ruled Out of Remaining SA T20Is; Shahbaz Ahmed Steps In

Team India has been dealt a significant setback as they push for a series victory against South Africa. Star all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the final two T20 Internationals due to an illness. His exit comes at a crucial juncture, with the five-match series poised at a competitive 2-1 in India's favour.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on Monday, stating that Axar's sudden indisposition necessitates his withdrawal from the remainder of the series. The selection committee quickly named Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement for the matches scheduled in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

A Crucial Loss in the Middle Overs

Axar Patel's absence will be keenly felt, particularly in the spin-bowling department and for the balance of the lower-middle order. The left-arm orthodox spinner played a decisive role in India's massive win in the series opener, recording an exceptional spell of 2 wickets for just 7 runs off his two overs, contributing significantly to bowling out South Africa for 74. In the second T20I, he was even promoted to bat at number three in an experimental move by the team management, highlighting his importance as a multi-utility player.

Axar was already unavailable for the third T20I in Dharamsala, where the team's bowling unit—featuring Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy—put on a spectacular performance to restrict the Proteas to 117. While India managed a convincing win in his absence, the loss of an experienced campaigner in the final, high-stakes games presents a challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Shahbaz Ahmed: The Like-for-Like Replacement

To fill the void left by Axar, the selectors have turned to Shahbaz Ahmed. The 31-year-old all-rounder from Haryana offers a similar skillset: a dependable left-arm spinner who can operate effectively in the powerplay and middle overs, coupled with dynamic left-handed batting capability.

Shahbaz has been on the fringes of the national side, having played a handful of ODIs and T20Is previously. This call-up marks his return to the T20I squad after nearly two years, and he will be eager to seize the opportunity to cement his place, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup preparations underway.

Focus Shifts to Lucknow and Ahmedabad

India currently leads the series 2-1, winning convincingly in the first and third matches, but falling short in the second. The remaining two games are scheduled as follows:

• Fourth T20I: Wednesday, December 17, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
• Fifth T20I (Series Decider): Friday, December 19, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

While Axar Patel remains with the team in Lucknow for further medical assessment, the team management will now have to re-evaluate their spin strategy. With the return of the experienced Jasprit Bumrah also yet to be confirmed (he returned home for personal reasons), the series is set to conclude under a cloud of squad uncertainty.

The focus now shifts to how the Indian team integrates Shahbaz Ahmed and manages the pressure of the upcoming do-or-die encounters, beginning in Lucknow.

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