Mohammad Kaif says Axar Patel “did no wrong”
Mohammad Kaif backed Axar Patel after he was replaced by Shubman Gill as India’s T20I vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed hope that all-rounder Axar Patel was properly informed about his removal as vice-captain of the T20I team before the announcement of Shubman Gill taking over the role for the Asia Cup 2025. Kaif said Axar “did no wrong” and deserved to know the reasoning behind the decision.
Axar was India’s vice-captain during their last T20I series against England at home in February. Gill was not part of that squad, as he had been involved in the Test series against Australia weeks earlier. Since then, Gill’s rise, including finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2025, has strengthened his claim in the shortest format.
However, the decision raised eyebrows as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have already established themselves at the top of the order. Gill’s inclusion as vice-captain in a multi-nation tournament came as a surprise to many.
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“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 on X.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Axar’s role as vice-captain was temporary. “He was the vice-captain when we played in Sri Lanka. But after that, he was busy with Test cricket,” Agarkar explained. “We obviously see some leadership qualities in him, and his form in England was what we were hoping for. He exceeded all our expectations, which is a great sign when there’s so much pressure as captain.”
According to a report in The Indian Express, Gill was not the straightforward first-choice pick for vice-captaincy. The final call reportedly came after head coach Gautam Gambhir pushed for his selection, with the intention of grooming Gill as a future captain under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership.
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Last Updated on August 20, 2025
