"Only Speak When..." - Axar Patel Shares Cryptic Post After SA T20Is Snub

The 29-year-old India National Cricket Team spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has shared a cryptic post on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle probably referring to his snub from the T20I squad for the upcoming South Africa tour.

Axar Patel hasn’t been included in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have been picked as the spin-bowling all-rounders with the former being handed the vice-captaincy.

The non-selection of Axar Patel surprised many as he has been performing quite well for the side in 20-over cricket. In the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia, the spin-bowling all-rounder has been economical with the ball and played crucial roles in the team’s victories.

Axar Patel bagged the Player of the Match award for his exceptional bowling figures of 3/16 in the fourth T20I and a day after the game, he took to X to share a cryptic post. “Move in silence. Only speak when it’s time to say checkmate,” the star all-rounder posted on X.

Move in silence.
Only speak when it's time to say checkmate ???? pic.twitter.com/snDyaPYxPI

— Akshar Patel (@akshar2026) December 2, 2023

Selection is not in my hand – Axar Patel

Axar Patel spoke about his snub from South Africa T20Is after the fourth T20I against Australia. He said that the selection is not in his hand and he understands why he has been dropped from the team. He elaborated:

“These things [selection] are not in my hand. It’s not like my name is not there, so I am fired up. It could be the opposite as well. If I had gone for a few, people would have said I was upset. It works both ways. Nothing like that, I was normal. Obviously, Jaddu bhai [Ravindra Jadeja] is coming back, so I was replaced.”

“There was nothing of that sort in my mind that I am not in that team, so I have to prove myself. The decision is up to the selectors. I followed what I was doing in the first three matches. I am happy to get among the wickets.”

So far in four matches in the Australia T20I series, Axar has registered bowling figures of 3/16, 1/37, 1/25, and 0/32. He will be looking to deliver a good performance in the last match as well to give a message to the selectors.