Inquisitor 1229

[Neveracrossword]

I'm making heavy weather of this, any help would be appreciated. This is thematic and 'in every clue but one, a letter must be removed from the definition part before solving.' (These letters lead to a quotation.)
26 D. Are its bats tops for the bounce in India? (6) ?e??i?
(I'd quite like the 'u' from 'bounce' to be superfluous.)
19 D. Winger nearly on medical support following game (7) ??sl???

[Lie-in King]

26d Terais (Indian hats - "tops for the bo(u)nce") - anag 'are its'

[Lie-in King]

19d Go-sling (game + med. support) - "winger (n)early"

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks for both of those.

[Lie-in King]

You're welcome :-)

[Neveracrossword]

I'm now over halfway with this, but finding these two very troublesome...
21 A. Sound of metallic bang (5) ???a?
(I think an 'n' is superfluous)
8 D. Movements often played least, and not going over notes (6) ?t??os
(An 'e' is removed, for the quote - I think this leads to 'movements often played last')

[RossR]

You said "21 A. Sound of metallic bang (5) ???a?"
Could you reveal how you get that A? I have a P in that position.

[Neveracrossword]

18 D. is 'Precipitate reason for aitch' (4) I settled on 'rash' - it means precipitate and is also the reason for itch (aitch,dropping the 'a'). I could be wrong - I often am - but it made sense at the time"

[RossR]

I think that is better than my answer: I had SPOT, being "slight rain" as well as a possible itch. RASH does seem more plausible, thanks.

[Ripper]

For 18down I have rash (a)itch
21across steal ba(n)g
Hope this helps

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, ripper - I managed to get 'steal' myself, but I appreciate your help.