NEW DELHI: Team India all-rounder Axar Patel, who missed the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala due to illness, has been ruled out of the remainder of the series because of the same issue, Sports Tak reported.
The report added that the BCCI and the national selectors have not yet announced a replacement for Axar.
Shubman Gill under the scanner: Ashwin demands verdict after Lucknow, Ahmedabad T20Is
Axar, who featured in the opening two T20Is at Cuttack and Mullanpur, made way for Kuldeep Yadav in the third game of the series. India responded strongly after their defeat in the second T20I, registering a convincing seven-wicket victory in the third match to move ahead 2–1 in the series.
Adding to India's concerns, Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the final two matches remains unclear. The fast bowler sat out the third T20I for personal reasons, and the report suggests that an official statement on whether he will feature in the fourth T20I is awaited.
The fourth T20I is scheduled to be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on December 17, with the series concluding in Ahmedabad on December 19.
Who will replace Axar Patel?
With no official replacement announced so far, Washington Sundar remains a potential option within the current squad, though he does not offer a like-for-like alternative given Axar Patel's left-arm spin.
The Indian team management will be eager for Axar to regain full fitness ahead of the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11 and features three ODIs followed by five T20Is.
