‘Get rid of your ego, learn from the opposition’:Sunil Gavaskar calls for ‘overconfident’ India to adapt to conditions after SA defeat

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar criticised Team India after Suryakumar Yadav and co suffered a loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 on 22 February. India’s unbeaten run in T20 World Cups came to an end with this defeat. The 76-run defeat was India’s heaviest in the T20 World Cup in terms of runs. Also, the loss to South Africa marked India’s first loss in ICC white-ball tournaments since the 2023 World Cup final. Sunil Gavaskar calls for India to ‘get rid of ego’ Speaking on JioStar after the match, Gavaskar said, “Having seen how Brevis and Miller built their partnership, that was the approach needed from the Indian batters. The Indian batters did not do that. They came out with overconfidence, threw their bat at everything and lost wickets. South Africa clearly outsmarted India and it was a well-deserved win for them.” The cricketer-turned-commentator alluded to a 97-run partnership that David Miller (65) and Dewald Brevis (47) formed to lead South Africa’s recovery after they were reduced to 20/3 at one stage. India, much like South Africa, lost three quick wickets inside the power play, but there were no partnerships, which was the main difference between the two teams. “India did not take notes from South Africa’s innings. They came out and threw their bat at every delivery, hoping for a boundary. That is not how you play T20 cricket,” he stated, adding, “You have to learn from the opposition. If they have scored well on a tricky surface like this, you have to get rid of your ego, observe and adjust.”
On India’s top-order collapse, Gavaskar pinpointed Tilak Varma, opining that he could have stuck around and built a partnership. “Tilak Varma has been a very street-smart batter. But I was disappointed with his approach in this game. Ishan Kishan lost his wicket in the first over. The required rate was around 9.5 runs per over, not 15,” Gavaskar said. “So, Tilak could have given himself more time. At the other end, Abhishek Sharma had back-to-back ducks. So, the responsibility was on Tilak to stick around, build a partnership, and get past the first six overs, but he failed to do that,” he further added. Sunil Gavaskar’s advice for Abhishek Sharma The former Indian captain advised Abhishek Sharma not to forcefully play aggressive shots across the line. “He shouldn’t force himself to play big shots across the line. Take a single and get off the mark. Even four dot balls don’t matter,” he said. Gavaskar also called for Axar Patel’s selection in the playing XI in place of Arshdeep Singh, against Zimbabwe. “I would look at bringing Axar Patel back into the playing XI, keeping in mind the lack of too many left-handed batters in Zimbabwe’s line-up. You could possibly bring him in place of Arshdeep Singh.” Ravi Ashwin baffled by Axar Patel’s snub Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin was also left baffled by India not picking Axar Patel in the playing XI against South Africa. Axar’s non-selection, despite him being the vice-captain and done well against South Africa in the past, raised a lot of questions. “I agree that the IPL is good for match-ups, but you have to change the team because you are going to play 14 games. But in such ICC campaigns, the more stable you can keep the team, the better,” he said on his YouTube show. He said, “I agree 100 per cent that you have to use Washington Sundar against left-handers; you have to play him, I agree with all that. But Axar Patel has been your MVP in T20 cricket. Let’s not forget what Axar Patel has done.”