Axar Patel Ruled Out of Remaining South Africa T20Is Due to Illness

Axar Patel was ruled out of the remaining T20Is against South Africa due to illness.

All-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remainder of India’s T20I series against South Africa due to illness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued an official statement calling in Shahbaz Ahmed as a replacement

Axar missed the third T20I in Dharamsala. Reports from Sports Tak state he will take no further part in the series. The exact nature of his illness has not been disclosed.

He is expected to return for the white-ball series against New Zealand next month. No official replacement has been named. India is likely to continue with the winning combination from the third T20I.

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Impact on India’s Lineup for Axar Patel’s absence

Jasprit Bumrah also missed the third match due to personal reasons. His availability for the fourth T20I in Lucknow is unclear.

In Axar’s absence, India may not face a significant shortage. Washington Sundar is available as a like-for-like spin-bowling all-rounder. Other bowlers performed well in the third match, dismissing South Africa for 117.

Axar’s recent form has been modest. He took three wickets in the two matches he played. With the bat, he scored at a strike rate of 104 in the series.

India has multiple batting and bowling options. The team is unlikely to miss his services heavily for the final two matches against South Africa.