India captain Suryakumar Yadav has admitted that leaving out all-rounder Axar Patel for the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against South Africa was a “mistake.” Reflecting on the decision, the skipper revealed that Axar was deeply disappointed and that he personally apologised to him after the match.
India suffered a heavy defeat against the Proteas in that encounter, which turned out to be their only loss of the tournament. While Axar had already missed the final group-stage match against the Netherlands due to injury, the choice to field Washington Sundar against South Africa was made as part of a tactical approach.
Speaking about the episode and the subsequent discussion with Axar, Suryakumar acknowledged the emotional impact of the call.
“He (Axar Patel) was very angry — and he should have been. He’s an experienced player, he leads a franchise. He should be angry,” Suryakumar said.
“I apologised. I told him I made a mistake, and I’m sorry, but it was a call for the team. It was a hard conversation. He took it in his stride and we talked it through the next day.”
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Axar Reflects on Emotional World Cup Triumph
Meanwhile, Axar Patel described India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph as a deeply emotional experience. The all-rounder shared that the victory felt even more meaningful as his son watched him play from the stands for the first time.
Posting on the social media platform X after India successfully defended their title, Axar spoke about the personal significance of the achievement.
“Winning the World Cup is something you dream about as a kid. But today felt even more special knowing our little Haksh was in the stands, watching his dad play for the first time. This one will always stay close to my heart. A moment I’ll carry with me forever,” Axar Patel wrote on X.
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India Clinch Historic Title with Dominant Final Display
India sealed a comprehensive 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final held in Ahmedabad, becoming the first side to win the T20 World Cup on home soil. The triumph also marked India’s third title in the tournament’s history and their second consecutive crown.
New Zealand opted to field first after winning the toss, but India’s top order produced a commanding response. Abhishek Sharma struck a rapid half-century, scoring 52 from 21 deliveries with six fours and three sixes, while sharing a 98-run partnership with Sanju Samson.
Samson later added a century stand with Ishan Kishan, who contributed 54 from 25 balls with four boundaries and four sixes, as India crossed the 200-run mark in the 16th over. A late surge from Shivam Dube, who remained unbeaten on 26 off just eight balls, propelled the total to 255 for 5 — the highest score in a T20 World Cup final.
James Neesham was the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers with figures of 3 for 46. Chasing 256, the Black Caps were reduced to 72 for 5 through the efforts of Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah, despite a brisk 52 from Tim Seifert. A brief partnership between Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner offered some resistance, but India continued to take wickets at regular intervals, eventually dismissing New Zealand for 159.
