In September, Shubman Gill returned to the Indian T20I team, and that too as vice-captain, as the selectors wanted to make him the all-format captain after handing him the reins of the Test and ODI teams. However, Gill failed to live up to expectations in the shorter format of the game.
Shubman Gill dropped out and Axar Patel appointed India’s new vice-captain
After a series of poor performances, Shubman Gill was dropped from the T20I squad and in a bold move, Axar Patel was named vice-captain to assist Suryakumar Yadav in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The experienced all-rounder brings stability and leadership experience.
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The Indian all-rounder previously acted as vice-captain when Gill was rested for the home T20I series against England and will now get the big nod for the World Cup and the home series against the Black Caps next year.
Axar Patel chose Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah
Interestingly, the Indian selectors chose Axar over Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah despite their strong performances. Both Pandya and Bumrah have previously captained India in a number of T20Is but were overlooked for the spin all-rounder.
Axar’s experience as captain of Delhi Capitals in the IPL adds to his credentials. DC started IPL 2025 strongly under him but finished fifth after a mixed run. His IPL leadership and previous stint as India’s deputy vice-captain made him a safe choice for the selectors.
Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated: “Shubman was the vice-captain; he is not in the team. Axar was the vice-captain when the T20s clashed. On continuity, you look at combinations.”
Axar Patel becomes the x-factor: Sunil Gavaskar
Meanwhile, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar predicted that Axar Patel will be India’s
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Speaking on JioStar, Sunil Gavaskar said: “Axar Patel, the vice-captain. He is the x-factor with the bat and with the ball. His batting has really stepped up there. He can crash the ball anywhere. He is bowling, varying his pace, bowling across the crease.
Bringing the speed variation helps you gain traction and turn. He is also an excellent fielder. He will be the x-factor; you can use him at 5 or 6, and he can bowl in the first 6 overs. He is capable of that. He and Hardik Pandya will be the two.”
The Indian squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the New Zealand series:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh.
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