Why is Axar Patel not playing today's IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I?

Team India was dealt a massive blow with star all-rounder Axar Patel missing out on the all-important third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14. The hosts won the first T20I by 101 runs but fell to the Proteas in the second game by 51 runs.

With the five-match series level at 1-1, the Dharamsala encounter becomes crucial in the series outcome. Coming to Axar, skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed at the toss that the star all-rounder will miss the game due to illness.

"We’ve made two forced changes. Axar Patel misses out as he’s unwell, and Jasprit Bumrah misses out due to personal reasons back home. Harshit Rana comes in, and Kuldeep Yadav comes in," said Suryakumar Yadav (via Cricbuzz)

Axar played the first two matches, including batting at No.3 in the previous outing, in a surprise. The 31-year-old was outstanding with the ball in both matches, picking up three wickets at an average of 11.33 and an economy of 6.80.

However, he found the going challenging with the willow, averaging 22 at a strike rate of under 105.

With Axar out of the Dharamsala encounter, India replaced him with left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, keeping intact the two-spinners combination with Varun Chakaravarthy. Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will also miss the game due to personal reasons and will be replaced by Harshit Rana.

Team India will field first for a second consecutive time in the 3rd T20I

Team India remained unperturbed by the outcome in the second T20I and elected to field first after winning the toss for a second consecutive time in the third T20I. Suryakumar Yadav lost the toss in the series opener, but the side batted first and defended the total in style in Cuttack.

However, despite opting to chase in the second T20I, the Proteas stunned the hosts with a massive score of 213/4 in 20 overs. In response, India succumbed to the pressure and was bowled out for 162.

Despite the crushing defeat in the previous outing, Team India boasts an incredible T20I record this year, winning 14 out of their 17 completed matches. Before the ongoing T20Is, the Proteas won the Test series 2-0 before India responded with a 2-1 ODI series triumph.