“You took him out of the attack”

Spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin slammed Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy after India’s defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. The Proteas trashed India by 76 runs in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22.

The Men in Blue stuck with Washington Sundar in their playing XI. With many left-handers in South Africa’s line-up, it was a tactical call to play the off-spinner. However, as two left-handers in their top order, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, were dismissed early on, Sundar was not used a lot.

“We lost tactically. If you played Sundar, you had to use him against left-handers. Both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton got out early. Against Miller he went for 11 runs in an over. It can happen. He is not playing consistently. Then you took him out of the attack and we could not use one spinner at all,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat‘.

Sundar bowled just two overs in the entire game, returning figures of 0/17. With him not completing his quota, it appeared that India were lacking another bowler while the others were going for runs.

Meanwhile, Ashwin lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his excellent performance, being the standout bowler for the hosts once again. He was not only economical but also picked up crucial wickets.

“If you have a bowler who is giving just 15 runs in four overs and picking three wickets, what more cheat code you need than this? We are all extremely lucky to witness greatness live. We always forget greatness and then bring it after retirements,” he stated.

Bumrah returned figures of 3/15 from four overs at an unbelievable economy rate of 3.8. He also became India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups, surpassing Ashwin himself.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s advice to Team India going forward

While Ravichandran Ashwin was not much bothered with the defeat as far as India’s position in the tournament was concerned, he did have some advice for the Men in Blue going forward.

He reckoned that the batters must respect conditions and take some time in the middle, build partnerships, rather than looking to be aggressive at all times.

“I wouldn’t be too bothered about the net run rate. We have to win two out of two games. We need to respect the conditions a bit. Take some time and bat. This team is a young team, they need to handle pressure better. We have Hardik and Rinku. Build a platform for them by stitching partnerships. There is no need to be in a hurry,” he said.

Further, he also highlighted the difference between pitches in bilateral series and in ICC tournaments. Ashwin reflected that the conditions were more fair in ICC events, allowing an equal contest between bat and ball, which is why the team must show some respect as a batting unit.

“I don’t think there is still a problem. Against Zimbabwe, I am sure we can put in a much better performance. I am sure we will tune up very well. But we have to remember two things. We need to learn that these are pitches the ICC is giving with enough in it for both batters and bowlers. The contest is fair. The shots that we play in bilaterals and unfair conditions there, we have to play with some respect as a batting unit.”

India will play Zimbabwe and the West Indies in their remaining Super 8 matches. The Men in Blue will be keen to bounce back from this defeat and make it to the semifinals.