“When you become too smart, selection-wise, that can hamper you” - Ajinkya Rahane slams team management for dropping Axar Patel vs SA

Former Indian middle-order batter and analyst Ajinkya Rahane was surprised not to see the all-rounder and vice-captain Axar Patel in India’s playing XI against South Africa, as the Men In Blue suffered a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22.

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Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Rahane believed that Axar Patel has been doing consistently well in different situations, adding that the Indian team management became too smart and made a selection blunder, which hampered them eventually. 

"I'm really surprised Axar Patel is not playing the match. I don't understand what is happening. Axar has been doing so well for India in different situations. Sometimes when you become too smart, I feel selection-wise that can hamper you," Rahane discussed during an interaction on Cricbuzz.

Furthermore, Rahane pointed out the way the South African team utilized Keshav Maharaj against the top Indian left-handed batters, while Sundar managed to bowl only two overs, with Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton getting out early in the powerplay overs to Bumrah.

"You took Washington Sundar because there are too many left-handers in the South Africa team, but he only bowled two overs. And there is no guarantee that an off-spinner is going to bowl really well against left-handers. We saw what Keshav Maharaj did against all the top left-handed batters," he added.

Delving into the details of the game, South Africa batted first after winning the toss, posting a dominating total of 187/7 in 20 overs, thanks to Dewald Brevis (45), David Miller (63), and Tristan Stubbs (44*). Jasprit Bumrah pocketed a three-wicket haul.

In the chase, India got bundled out for 111 runs in 18.5 overs, losing the game by 76 runs. South African bowlers Marco Jansen scalped four, while Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets to turn the game upside down.

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