All-rounder Axar Patel will play no further part in India's ongoing T20I series against South Africa. Patel, who wasn't part of the third T20I in Dharamsala, has been diagnosed with fever. However, Patel did travel with the team to Lucknow where the fourth T20I will be held on Wednesday (December 17).
According to reports, Patel's exit from the South Africa series is touted to be just a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, Shahbaz Ahmed, another left-arm spinner cum all-rounder, has been named as the replacement in what is a like-for-like move by the selectors. Ahmed is set to link up with the squad at the earliest.
Patel's update was announced by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through their official press release. The BCCI medical team will continue to evaluate Patel's progress and are unlikely to rush him back to action. Before the T20 World Cup 2026 which starts from February 7, India have a packed schedule in January.
🚨 NEWS 🚨#TeamIndia allrounder, Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two @IDFCFIRSTBank T20Is against South Africa due to illness.
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 15, 2025
🔽 Details | #INDvSA | @akshar2026 https://t.co/CZja7iaLNm
New Zealand are touring India for a white-ball tour comprising three ODIs and five T20Is. Given Patel's importance to India's title wins in T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025, the team management would want the left-arm spinner in peak condition before the T20Is against New Zealand.
Patel had a good start to the South Africa T20Is, returning figures of 2-7 at Cuttack followed by 1-27 in New Chandigarh. India lead the five-match series 2-1 after their seven-wicket win in Dharamsala on Sunday (December 14).
