IND vs SA: Axar Patel should have been promoted at the No. 3 position?
Suryakumar Yadav has backed the Indian team management’s decision to promote Axar Patel to the No. 3 position in the second T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. The move surprised many, especially since Axar had never batted at No. 3 in his previous 51 T20I innings. The experiment took place during the match in Mullanpur on December 11, where India looked to test their resources and adapt to the match situation. Suryakumar explained that Axar’s rising confidence and consistent performances across formats played a major role in the decision.
IND vs SA: Why was Axar Patel promoted to the No. 3 position in the second T20I?
He highlighted that Axar has been contributing significantly with both bat and ball in recent months, making him a reliable option to promote in the batting order when conditions demand flexibility. The Indian captain also acknowledged the quality of South Africa’s bowling in the second innings, noting that the opposition’s tactics and use of spin early on made the decision even more logical. According to Suryakumar, sending Axar ahead was a strategic call that aligned with the match scenario, and he emphasised that backing in-form players in different roles is essential for building a versatile and adaptable T20 side.
"As for the Axar move, we backed him because he has been batting well across formats. It just didn't click tonight. Tough luck, but we learn and get better from here. See you in Dharamshala. There was a bit of dew, yes, but even then, when Plan A wasn't working, we should have switched quicker. South Africa showed us exactly how to bowl in the second innings, and we will take that into the next game," stated Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.
The decision to promote Axar Patel ultimately didn’t work out as India had hoped, as the all-rounder managed only a run-a-ball 21 before being dismissed during the IND vs SA 2nd T20I. Suryakumar Yadav himself fell cheaply for 5 off 4 balls, and India suffered a batting collapse, getting bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs. Their total proved inadequate, as the Aiden Markram-led South African side comfortably chased it down, winning by 51 runs and levelling the series.
Reflecting on the loss, the 35-year-old skipper didn’t shy away from taking accountability. Suryakumar admitted that he should have taken greater responsibility with the bat, especially during a tricky chase, and acknowledged that he needed to stay longer at the crease to guide the innings. He noted that the team as a whole struggled to adapt to the conditions quickly enough, particularly with the ball, where India failed to assess the surface and adjust their lengths in time. According to him, these lapses in execution, both in batting discipline and bowling adaptability, were key reasons behind India’s defeat, and he emphasised the need to learn from such moments as the series progresses. The India vs South Africa 3rd T20I encounter will be hosted at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on December 14.
"Abhishek has been brilliant, but we cannot expect him to do it every time. Shubman got out on the first ball, but I should have batted deeper and controlled the chase. It just didn't go our way today, apart from the toss. Maybe, I should have batted after winning it, but it is fine. We bowled first and could not quite adjust early on, and only later did we realise how important the lengths were on this wicket. It is a learning process, and we move forward," Suryakumar added.
