After finishing their first-ever home game against South Africa, India can afford to equip some of their key players, but the hosts will be determined to put in a full performance before they go on October 6. fly to Australia.
Since their early exit from the T20 World Cup 12 months ago, the Indian at bat has come a long way and looks formidable leading up to the next edition which starts later this month.
Besides the running party, a special moment when we say goodbye to Guwahati. ☺️#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @imVkohli |… https://t.co/wvrZGnNpp2
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1664736924000
The majority of the batters remain the same from the UAE edition, but it is the drastic change in approach that has made all the difference.
Heading into the ICC event, India’s high-profile top three have reached top form, including KL Rahul, who allayed concerns about his strike rate with a sublime effort on Sunday.
Virat Kohli has hit a strike rate of 140 plus since the Asian Cup, including three 50s and a highly anticipated 100. Skipper Rohit had impactful innings over the course of six home games against Australia and South Africa.
Number four Suryakumar Yadav is in a league of his own and seems to be playing at a much higher level than his teammates, so much so that Rohit is considering playing him directly in the team’s World Cup opener against Pakistan on October 23.
If Suryakumar is indeed equipped, then Shreyas Iyer will probably take its place.
How can @surya_14kumar’s dazzling form be preserved? ??️ ?️ This is what #TeamIndia captain @ImRo45 said. #INDvSA https://t.co/Gkbaej2dHc
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1664735540000
Rishabh Pant has yet to win in the series and while Dinesh Karthik got seven balls in the second T20, he is also hoping to get a hit in the middle.
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah has exacerbated bowling problems in India, especially in the death-overs, but the team must find a way if the star pacer doesn’t get fit in time for the ICC event.
Deepak Chahar, who belongs to the World Cup reserves, was impressive with the new ball, but questions remain about his effectiveness towards the end of the innings.
Arshdeep Singh impressed with both new and old balls but was unusually expensive on Sunday. After not throwing balls no fewer than three times, it was an unforgettable evening for the left-arm pacer who would love to bounce back.
The variations Harshal Patel relies on to control the batters have not produced the desired result since his return from injury.
Red ball big R Ashwin has yet to get a wicket in the series and India will look to him for wickets in the middle overs.
Mohammad Siraj, included in the roster during Bumrah’s absence, could play at the Holkar Stadium.
In the extreme humidity of Guwahati, the South African pacers struggled to get hold of the ball and eventually gave the Indian batters many full throws. They would like to rectify that.
Despite the series loss, there were many positives for the visitors in the batting division. David Miller continued his menacing form this year, beating an unbeaten hundred while Quinton de Kock got the much needed runs for the World Cup.
The main concern for the Proteas is the form of their skipper Temba Bavuma, who has yet to score a point in the series.
Teams (of):
india: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Umesh Yadav, Shreyas Iyer , Shahbaz Ahmed and Mohammad Siraj
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Rossleeiso Rabada , Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs
