Three down, six more to go for the T20 World Cup 2024. India Cricket Team will go for experimentation with some senior players returning to the fold after the break in IND vs SA 1st T20 on Sunday. While IPL 2024 will play a massive role, there is nothing better than putting up some big performances to woo the selectors. And the Suryakumar Yadav-led side will be mindful of that in India vs South Africa T20 series before Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decide their future.
India Cricket Team began the T20 World Cup 2024 preparations with a 4-1 win over a second-string Australia side. But it was enough hint for things to come.
Rinku Singh stole the show while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad also put the selectors on notice. Even if Rohit Sharma comes back, selectors will have a tough time choosing between Jaiswal and Gaikwad in the IND vs SA 1st T20. However, the real test is in the bowling department. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami on break, the race is still on for a third seamer.
IND vs SA 1st T20: What to expect?
With Shubman Gill back, India will have to take a call on which opener to drop. Ruturaj Gaikwad for sure could be a No 3 batter. But with Shreyas Iyer taking the slot, he can only play as an opener. And at the moment, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive batting is surely the focus. Hence, it is likely that Gaikwad will be benched in IND vs SA 1st T20.
There is also a middle-order muddle. As India Cricket Team faces the problem of plenty, head coach Rahul Dravid will have to decide on who they want to pick as No 5.
Shreyas Iyer at No 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at No 4 are two settled batters. At No 5, India have Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh fighting for a place. While Rinku Singh surely would be No 6, who do they pick as No 5? The race is between Jitesh Sharma and Ishan Kishan as India need a keeper. With a blazing knock against Australia, Jitesh is the likely pick.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Ravi Bishnoi
There is also the matter of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi. Even though Ravi Bishnoi was at his best, scalping 9 wickets in five matches against Australia, India could consider giving Kuldeep Yadav another go. If that happens, World No 1 T20 bowler Bishnoi will have to sit out in IND vs SA 1st T20.
Ravindra Jadeja will be the other spinner for sure as he returns to the format after a long absence. The last time Jadeja played a T20I was back in the Asia Cup. But with T20 World Cup 2024 preparation in full swing, Jadeja will get a go over Axar Patel in the IND vs SA 1st T20.
With no Deepak Chahar, India Cricket Team will go with Mohammed Siraj who will team up with Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh. It is also an opportunity for Mohd Siraj to solidify his position in the T20 squad after an excellent show in the IPL 2023.
What’s in store for Proteas?
Like India, South Africa also have just 6 T20Is to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024. With no Temba Bavuma, who is also unlikely for the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa will bank on a new-look squad, almost. Quinton De Kock has snubbed the IND vs SA T20I series for Big Bash League. Lungi Ngidi is also on a break along with Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.
The pace batter only has Gerald Coetzee and Andile Phehlukwayo apart from new face Nandre Burger. Hence, Aiden Markram will look at the batting department to do the heavy lifting in IND vs SA 1st T20.
Predicted India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Predicted South Africa Playing XI: Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram (capt), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi
India T20 Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Deepak Chahar.
South Africa T20 squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee (1st and 2ndT20Is), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen (1st and 2nd T20Is), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi (1st and 2nd T20Is), Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams.
