India’s heavy defeat to the South Africa national cricket team in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 triggered sharp analysis from former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who questioned both the team combination and the batting order used in the high-pressure clash. According to Ashwin, the side looked underprepared for a game of such magnitude, particularly in the way the batting lineup was structured during the chase.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the puzzling decision to push Rinku Singh down to No.8 despite India fielding eight recognised batters in the playing XI. In a match where India needed composure and clarity, he felt the tactical calls did not quite add up.

“If you have eight batters and one of them is Rinku Singh, he cannot be coming in at eight. No disrespect to Sundar. He is a fabulous batter. We know his batting skills. But for a starter, South Africa has given us a lesson that please do not come underprepared for such games. We were underprepared,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.

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Ashwin was quick to clarify that his comments were not intended to criticise Washington Sundar. Instead, he stressed that the decision was more about role clarity and experience in big games. In his view, Rinku’s proven finishing ability should have been utilised earlier in the innings, especially when the pressure of a steep chase was mounting.

“I would have loved to see Rinku Singh walking in at five. I think they were looking at Washi as a like-for-like replacement for Axar. But experience counts for something, someone who has been there and done it. Axar has been there, handled pressure, and done it. Number five in such a high-pressure game was too much to ask of Washi,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.

Ashwin also pointed out that by the time Rinku finally came in, the contest had effectively slipped away from India national cricket team. The collapse left little room for recovery, making the late entry of a designated finisher almost irrelevant.

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Looking ahead, the former off-spinner warned that opposition teams may increasingly force India to chase totals, knowing their struggles in such situations. After the 76-run defeat, India’s path to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has become far more complicated, with victories in the remaining matches now crucial for keeping their title defence alive.