ANI
24 Feb 2026, 19:02 GMT+10
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 24 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel said on Tuesday that he would like to see vice-captain Axar Patel come back to the playing eleven for the all-important T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday, adding that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson could also make his return to the team.
After a 76-run loss to South Africa at Ahmedabad, India's fate for semis hinges on net-run-rate, their own matches in the near future, i.e winning their next two games and Proteas themselves, hoping that the 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up have an unbeaten run in the Super Eight phase.
Despite being the vice-captain of the team and taking six wickets in the tournament so far, Axar was not picked for the Super Eight opener against South Africa, with the team opting for Washington Sundar. Sanju Samson, while he is dealing with a poor run with the bat, having managed a quickfire 22 against Namibia, could be utilised to break a left-dominant top-order of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, which has struggled against off-spinners.
Speaking on JioStar's 'Follow The Blues', JioStar expert Parthiv said, 'I would like to see Axar Patel coming back into the team. He has played crucial knocks in the past. Yes, match-ups come into play, but I would definitely bring Axar Patel in. There is also the question of Sanju Samson. There could even be a homecoming for him in Chennai now. It is something India would definitely be considering, especially given the glaring problem Indian left-handers are facing against off-spinners.'
Parthiv also said that off-spinner Sikandar Raza could come in handy during the powerplay. He also suggested that he would not be dropping openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, but will bring Samson in place of a struggling Tilak, who has managed just 107 runs in five innings at a timid strike rate of just over 118.
He said, 'Yes, Sanju Samson is not in great form either, but bringing in a right-hander could offer a different perspective. Or maybe, India could just try changing the batting order. If Sanju Samson comes in, he should bat at number three. If he does not play, then Surya has to bat at three.' (ANI)
Get a daily dose of BC Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to BC Post.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Secret Service shot and killed an armed man who drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President...
DALLAS, Texas: The Department of Homeland Security said February 22 that it was suspending the Global Entry program for the duration...
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana: Public classrooms in the state can now display posters of the Ten Commandments after a U.S. appeals court cleared...
MILAN/FRANKFURT/LONDON/PARIS: The U.S. Supreme Court ruling against President Donald Trump's trade tariffs comes with a sting in the...
TORONTO, Canada: OpenAI said it had considered alerting Canadian police last year about a user account later linked to one of the deadliest...
COLUMBUS, Ohio: On February 19, an Ohio woman was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences with the possibility of parole after...
New Delhi [India], February 25 (ANI): After Pakistan's chances to reach the semifinals of the T20 World Cup got to their absolute slimmest,...
(Photo credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images) The Atlanta Braves will become the latest MLB team with their own television network as...
Colombo [Sri Lanka], February 24 (ANI): New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said both New Zealand and Sri Lanka are aware of each...
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Hitting home runs in the 2025 draft likely spared general manager Andrew Berry his job when...
(Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images) The Colorado Avalanche acquired Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday in...
Pallekele [Sri Lanka], February 24 (ANI): Pakistani batter Babar Azam endured another disappointing outing in the ongoing T20 World...
