The Indian all-rounder Axar Patel sustained an injury scare during the IND vs NZ 1st T20I at Narendra Modi Stadium in Vadodara. After starting with a win over the Kiwis, Suryakumar Yadav’s side will host the visitors again on January 23, 2026, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
The Men in Blue are concerned about Axar Patel’s availability for the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I after the left-arm spinner was struck on the tip of his index finger while attempting to catch a Daryl Mitchell shot off his own bowling. He tried to take the catch with his left hand before leaving the field shortly after.
Will Axar Patel injury rule him out from IND vs NZ 2nd T20I?
Axar Patel is on the verge of missing the 2nd T20I against New Zealand, with BCCI yet to release an official medical report on his injury. His availability for the match remains uncertain, as the Indian T20 all-rounder needs more training ahead of his 2026 T20 World Cup commitments.
Axar remains a crucial player for the tournament, with BCCI having already announced the squad and only three weeks until it begins.
If the left-hand batter misses the game, Kuldeep Yadav may earn a call-up to the India playing XI.
READ MORE: Why BCCI Appointed Axar Patel as Vice-Captain Over Hardik Pandya for T20 World Cup 2026?
Why only Axar Patel is crucial for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026?
The 32-year-old Gujarat-born all-rounder is known for his calm approach and positive intent, as he proved in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Axar played a brilliant knock of 47 runs off 31 balls while India defended a respectable total of 176. He also took the wicket of Christian Stubbs in the final, through Kohli’s calmness and Axar’s intent, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup.
