India, Feb. 26 -- Team India rang in two significant changes to their playing XI for the crucial Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe on Thursday. The heavy defeat to South Africa prompted a rethink, with the management opting to bring back Sanju Samson and Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh.

There had already been criticism over the decision to bench the vice-captain Axar in the previous game. Meanwhile, Rinku, who has endured an inconsistent campaign, had to briefly leave the squad during the break due to a family emergency, with his father hospitalised. With the must-win encounter set at Chepauk in Chennai, the team management turned to Samson's experience and Axar's all-round value in a bid to steady the side.

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