India Playing XI 3rd T20: IND vs SA 3rd T20 LIVE: A year of preparation and it has come down to just one competitive match to get everything sorted before T20 World Cup. With Virat Kohli rested for the 3rd T20, Rohit Sharma has one last opportunity to test combinations before taking the flight to Australia. Rishabh Pant & Shreyas Iyer are likely to get a go in batting while Mohammed Siraj could get in for the Indore T20. Follow India vs SouthAfrica LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have all got runs in the series. But with the top-order firing from all cylinders, Rishabh Pant hasn’t got a chance. With Dinesh Karthik’s promotion to No 5 on Sunday, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid made it clear that Rishabh Pant was not in plans to start.
India Playing XI 3rd T20: Virat Kohli & KL Rahul RESTED, Shreyas Iyer & Mohd Siraj likely to come in, Follow IND vs SA 3rd T20 LIVE Updates
But what if there is an injury or loss of form? Considering that, the team management could be tempted to give Rishabh Pant a go at the top order to get some game time in the middle. It could see either Suryakumar Yadav or Virat Kohli or KL Rahul making the way.
India Playing XI 3rd T20: What to expect from 3rd T20?
- India have sealed the 3-match series 2-0 against South Africa.
- India’s top-order has done wonders with Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul leading from the front.
- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have also got runs.
- With Virat Kohli and KL Rahul rested for the 3rd T20, it will be Shreyas Iyer who comes in.
- With Rishabh Pant being neglected every time, it’s clear that he is not in the plans to feature in Playing XI in Australia.
- But if Deepak Hooda is ruled out, India will need a backup and Rishabh Pant will be the best option.
- Pant is likely to open with Rohit Sharma to get a longer run.
- In bowling, things are not working as expected.
- The giant size hole left behind by Jasprit Bumrah is turning out to be India’s sinkhole.
- Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel haven’t managed to close the gap.
- The other option is Mohammed Shami, who has had no competitive practice in T20s since IPL 2022.
- It’s Mohammed Siraj who could be tried out but it’s unlikely he will get a chance in 15-member squad.
- Deepak Chahar has had his ups and downs but considering his bowling style is similar to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he may not feature in Playing XI.
- In spin department, Axar Patel has done the trick even though he was very expensive in the last match.
India Playing XI 3rd T20: Virat Kohli & KL Rahul RESTED, Shreyas Iyer & Mohd Siraj likely to come in, Follow IND vs SA 3rd T20 LIVE Updates
Shreyas Iyer is another batsman in the reserves. But considering he will be playing in the ODI series against South Africa, he may not get a go. But it should be noted that Deepak Hooda is still injured and is at the NCA. Hence, to have a backup ready, Iyer could be tried in place of Suryakumar Yadav, who is India’s No 1 T20 batter at present.
But the concern is in the bowling department. Indian bowling attack conceded 65 runs in the last four overs. But it wasn’t a one-off. The last 5-6 matches have seen a similar pattern. Rohit Sharma admitted that it is a problem that needs addressing.
- Harshal Patel: 24 in 2 ovs
- Arshdeep Singh 26 in 1 over
- Axar Patel gave away 20 in one over
“Yes, we have not bowled well at the death in the last five or six games. We are doing the same to the opposition as well. To bowl and bat at the death is very tough. That is where the game is decided. We need to pick ourselves and get our act together,” Rohit Sharma said.
India Playing XI 3rd T20: Virat Kohli & KL Rahul RESTED, Shreyas Iyer & Mohd Siraj likely to come in, Follow IND vs SA 3rd T20 LIVE Updates
But India are in a tricky situation. Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely for T20 World Cup. In his absence, the death overs duty will be on Arshdeep Singh and another bowler. Rohit Sharma is yet to fill that gap. Since Mohammad Shami is also not fully fit following his Covid-19 diagnosis, Mohammed Siraj or Umesh Yadav could be given a go.
India Playing XI 3rd T20:
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Rohit Sharma(c)
- Shreyas Iyer
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Dinesh Karthik
- Axar Patel
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Harshal Patel
- Deepak Chahar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Siraj/ Yuzvendra Chahal
India squad for South Africa T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Umesh Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj
India Playing XI 3rd T20: Virat Kohli & KL Rahul RESTED, Shreyas Iyer & Mohd Siraj likely to come in, Follow IND vs SA 3rd T20 LIVE Updates
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