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The Indian cricket team is currently dealing with a major problem. Axar Patel serves as the T20 World Cup 2026 vice-captain while performing his duties as the team all-rounder. His left-arm spin accuracy combined with his batting skills and fielding abilities makes him the ideal player for T20 matches. The BCCI has not provided any new information about the situation. India will need to find a replacement player if the serious injury prevents him from participating in both the New Zealand series and the T20 World Cup 2026.

The question now is, who can replace Axar Patel if he is unavailable for the T20 World Cup?

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Krunal Pandya has established himself as a successful left-arm spin all-rounder. He has played 19 T20I matches for India while demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. Krunal delivers slow left-arm orthodox bowling by using controlled throwing techniques. He has achieved 15 T20I wickets with 4/36 being his best performance. His 8.10 economy rate exceeds acceptable limits but he possesses wicket-taking ability which is essential for T20 cricket success.

Krunal delivers important lower-middle-order runs while he excels against both spin and pace bowlers. His performance for Baroda in the latest Vijay Hazare Trophy competition saw him score 321 runs across seven matches and take six wickets. His current performance level together with his past experience makes him the best choice for India to use as an exact replacement.

Shahbaz Ahmed works as a slow left-arm orthodox all-rounder who has competed on international cricket fields. He made two T20I appearances while proving his ability to show skills in both batting and bowling. Shahbaz has established himself as a dependable player who delivers consistent results for Bengal in domestic cricket.

He scored 390 runs in six VHT innings which included one century and three fifties. The bowling all-rounder completed six wickets during the match which proved his worth to the team during his bowling efforts. Shahbaz plays all batting positions from No. 6 to No. 8 while he maintains a peaceful demeanor. His ability to perform well in domestic matches combined with his balanced abilities make him a reliable option to replace Axar Patel.

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Ayush Badoni may not seem like an ideal candidate but he has successfully performed in shorter format matches. His ability to play as a middle-order batter combined with his ability to deliver useful bowling makes him a valuable player. Badoni has achieved 693 List A runs across 27 matches with an average of 36.47 and a strike rate of above 93. He has one century and five fifties, and also has 18 wickets in his List A career.

His recent T20 performances have been impressive. He scored 53 runs against Karnataka while taking 4/12 in his most recent five T20 matches for Delhi. His all-round performance metrics display development which makes him eligible for selection when the selectors look for younger players.

Riyan Parag currently attracts attention because of his domestic cricket and IPL performance. The batting all-rounder bowls leg spin while he can finish matches. Parag provides India with a distinct option who can hit home runs while delivering effective bowling performance. While not a direct like-for-like spin replacement for Axar, his batting impact and all-round ability make him a name worth discussing for T20 cricket.

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Manav Suthar is a young left-arm orthodox bowler who has shown signs of growth. He took 12 wickets during seven VHT matches for Rajasthan while scoring 146 runs. He currently lacks experience at the highest level but he matches Axar Patel's bowling techniques. Suthar operates primarily as a bowling all-rounder who can serve as backup spin support for upcoming squad selections.