Why is Axar Patel Not Playing Today in IND vs SA 3rd T20I?

The Indian cricket team started the 5-match T20I series with a fantastic win in Cuttack followed by a victory by South Africa in the second match. With a levelled series, India and South Africa are all set to clash again on December 14 in Dharamshala.

In one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world, the players will play an important game of the series. The team that wins the match will take the lead, pushing the other one on the backfoot. Hence, IND vs SA 3rd T20I will be super exciting to watch for the fans. Before the match, India have a made few changes to the bowling line-up with the all-rounder Axar Patel missing out.

Why is Axar Patel Not Playing Today?

India's one of the best all-rounders, Axar Patel, has missed the third T20I game as informed by the India captain Suryakumar Yadav during the toss. Patel, who wasn't feeling well ahead of the match, isn't part of the Playing 11 for this match.

As Axar Patel replacement, the management brought in the left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav into the playing XI. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has also missing the game and Harshit Rana has replaced him for this match.

In an important game, missing out on best players might affect the results but the Men in Blue still have an excellent team that can topple the opposition. The batting line-up is pretty sorted for the home team as they have Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma to open the innings. The bowling department might have struggled. However, Arshdeep and Harshit provided early breakthroughs to put SA on the back foot.

IND vs SA 3rd T20I Playing XI

The Indian team is without Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel in the match. Both are among the best T20 bowlers in the world. However, they still have a solid playing 11 with Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and others. Captain Suryakumar Yadav's form is under scrutiny now and he will be looking forward to putting up some runs on the board.

In terms of South Africa, the batters were outstanding in the previous game, putting up a 200+ runs in the first innings. However, they have failed to replicate their performance in this match and are on the back foot.

South Africa Playing 11 for 3rd T20I Against India

Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

India Playing 11 for 3rd T20I Against South Africa

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy