The leadership shuffle in India’s T20I side has sparked a debate, as former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned the removal of Axar Patel from the vice-captaincy role. Shubman Gill, who makes his return to T20 internationals after more than a year, has been appointed as deputy to skipper Suryakumar Yadav for Asia Cup 2025.
Kaif Questions the Decision
Kaif expressed his concerns openly on social media, stressing the need for better communication between selectors and players.
“I hope Axar Patel was informed about his removal from vice-captaincy in advance and he didn’t come to know about it from the press conference. Axar did no wrong so he deserves an explanation,” Kaif posted.
The former India batter highlighted that sudden decisions like these can dent the confidence of players who have been contributing consistently at the international stage.
Patel’s Crucial Role for India
Axar Patel’s journey in recent years has been remarkable. He was named Player of the Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal against England for his brilliant figures of 3/23. In the final against South Africa, Patel played a rescue act by scoring 47 runs off 31 balls when India was in deep trouble at 34/3, before also dismissing Tristan Stubbs at a crucial moment.
Patel’s T20I numbers underline his value — 531 runs at a strike rate of 139.32 and 71 wickets at an average of 22.12 from 71 matches. His all-round ability makes him one of the most dependable players in the squad.
Gill Reinstated as Vice-Captain
Shubman Gill’s return as vice-captain signals the selectors’ vision to groom him for future leadership roles. Gill, who already captains India in Tests, is being seen as a long-term investment for the white-ball setup. His presence adds balance to India’s batting unit, but the timing of the change has still left many puzzled.
Asia Cup 2025 Squad Overview
For the upcoming Asia Cup, India included Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as spin options alongside Patel. However, big names like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out. India will kick off their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10.
Mohammad Kaif’s comments have brought the issue of transparency back into focus. While Shubman Gill’s appointment may be a forward-looking move, the handling of Axar Patel’s removal has raised uncomfortable questions. Fans will now be keen to see how the Suryakumar Yadav–Gill leadership duo fares in the Asia Cup 2025.
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