Axar Patel was put through a rigorous, crucial net session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as India prepare for their must-win T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe on February 26. Axar Patel's intense training comes on the back of widespread calls for his return to India's playing XI following their shocking 76-run loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad.

Axar Patel Pushed Hard in Chepauk Training Session

Axar Patel, India's vice-captain who was controversially dropped for the South Africa Super 8 match, was spotted putting in significant extra effort at the MA Chidambaram nets alongside the rest of India's T20 World Cup squad. Axar Patel worked extensively on both his left-arm spin bowling and batting against the team's net bowlers, with particular focus on the slow, turning Chepauk surface that is expected to assist spinners significantly in the evening India vs Zimbabwe fixture.

India's T20 World Cup XI Expected to Change Significantly

The Axar Patel net session has reinforced expectations of major changes to India's playing XI for the Zimbabwe match. Axar Patel is expected to replace Washington Sundar, whose inclusion in the South Africa game was widely criticized after he failed to make an impact with either bat or ball. The Chepauk pitch traditionally offers considerable turn, making Axar Patel's left-arm spin an essential weapon for India in this T20 World Cup Super 8 contest.

Sanju Samson Also Trains Intensively

Alongside Axar Patel, Sanju Samson also put in a high-quality extended net session at Chennai. With Rinku Singh having returned home due to a family emergency, Sanju Samson is expected to return to India's T20 World Cup XI. He could open the batting to provide a right-handed option at the top of the lineup, addressing the weakness that South Africa's bowlers exploited against India's left-hand dominated order.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualification Hangs in the Balance

India currently sit third in Group 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 with zero points. A comprehensive win over Zimbabwe in the Axar Patel-backed XI is essential, with both the result and net run rate critical to India's qualification chances from the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage.