Suryakumar and Gambhir explained selection decision to Axar – Sitanshu Kotak

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed that Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir spoke to Axar Patel ahead of the Super Eight clash against South Africa. He added that the experienced all-rounder's confidence would not be affected by the selection call, which saw him miss out with Washington Sundar picked in his place.

"Obviously, Surya and Gautam both spoke to him. We thought an off-spinner was needed because of three left-handers upfront. We got the wickets in the beginning. Washington didn't bowl in the Powerplay, but he was supposed to. That can change according to the match. For that reason, this combination was decided."

"Regarding confidence—Axar is such a player; he has played so much and performed so much, he doesn't lack confidence. It was very clear from him, and from the head coach and the captain, what we are thinking and why we are doing this."

Kotak also admitted the team is in a situation where it may have to rethink the opening combination, with Sanju Samson potentially coming into the equation.

"Basically, if we felt that Sanju's last few innings were low on confidence and Ishan was scoring runs, then obviously you go with Ishan. Now we are in a situation where we have to think about whether we need to change anything or if we should still go with the same thing. It is definitely something to think about. If we have to change something, what do we change and how do we change it?"

Having lost one Super Eight game, India are under pressure to win the remaining two fixtures. Kotak says the players are used to such situations.

"I feel that even in a normal game, if you play in India, there is natural pressure. Any professional—any batsman or bowler—feels it when they are playing. There is more pressure on the batsman because it is a one-ball game. For a bowler, it is different. If he misses one or two balls, he can still bowl a good one."

"But with the amount of cricket we play, we have to take that pressure. Everyone has to take it—that anxiety, that pressure. If a batsman does not take it at this level, or if a bowler does not, then where will he take it?"

"So there will be pressure. That is the whole thing. But there are two matches left. We know where we are. We had one bad day—we have to accept it—we did not play well. We will have to move forward and try to win the two games properly because we do not have any other option, whether we take pressure or not."