The Asia Cup 2025 has not even started, but the India National Cricket Team has already been hit by several controversies off the field, including the game against Pakistan.
In a move that has stunned fans and former cricketers, Axar Patel has been stripped of the T20I vice-captaincy, with young opener and Test captain Shubman Gill taking over the role.
Axar Patel, who played a key role in India’s historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, was expected to continue as deputy to the T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, but he was removed, and Shubman Gill was named as the new vice-captain ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.
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Axar Patel stripped of India’s vice-captaincy, Shubman Gill takes over
The star all-rounder’s sudden removal from vice-captaincy in T20Is has sparked heated debate about fairness, respect, and communication within the India National Cricket Team. Now, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has come out strongly in support of Axar.
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The cricket pandit felt the move unfair on Axar, who also led Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025, and demanded answers from the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee. Kaif said that Patel, who played such a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph, deserves recognition.
Mohammad Kaif slams Indian selectors after Axar Patel’s vice-captaincy axe
The timing of Axar’s removal has raised even more eyebrows. Gill, who has returned to T20Is after a year-long absence, has been handed the vice-captaincy straight away. He made a comeback to the side after his heroics in England and IPL 2025, where he scored over 700 and 600 runs, respectively.
Mohammad Kaif posted on X on August 19: “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.”
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. @akshar2026
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 19, 2025
Axar Patel’s T20I numbers and major highlights
Meanwhile, Axar has become an integral part of India’s white-ball setup. He played unforgettable knocks under pressure and delivered with the ball in crunch moments in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Caribbean.
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From destroying England in the semi-final with 3/23 to rescuing India in the final with a fighting 47 off 31 balls, Axar proved why he is one of India’s most dependable match-winners.
He has a stellar record in T20I cricket, where he has so far represented India in 71 games, scoring 531 runs at a strike rate of 139.32 and taking 71 wickets at an average of 22.12.
Axar Patel retains spot as India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announced
However, Axar has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9. Apart from Axar, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the other two all-rounders for the continental tournament.
While Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy are three spinners for the Asia Cup 2025, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack featuring Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
On the other hand, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh are the batting options.
#TeamIndia‘s squad for the #AsiaCup 2025
Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana,…
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 19, 2025
Notably, India is set to face the UAE in their Asia Cup 2025 opener on September 10, with the big game against Pakistan scheduled on September 14.
