Rahul Dravid faces a massive selection headache ahead of the India vs South Africa (IND vs SA) 1st T20I. Star batters Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma face time on the bench as Suryakumar Yadav and Co are set for Jitesh Sharma and Shreyas Iyer instead. Jitesh Sharma who is facing tough competition from Ishan Kishan is now leading the race to find his spot in the India Playing XI.
Following the conclusion of the IND vs AUS T20I series, the usual suspects of T20s mark their return to the team. This in turn provides a hindrance to the youngsters who were keen to show their worth for the Men in Blue. Ishan Kishan is one such example. He played 2 matches in the ODI World Cup and then went on to feature in the first 3 IND vs AUS matches.
He ultimately was rested for the last 2 matches as Jitesh Sharma came on to keep behind the stumps. But Jitesh Sharma shined brightly. He continued his fine form and went on to slam 35 of 19, and 24 of 16 in the last two games of the IND vs AUS series. This in turn is also bad news for Tilak Varma.
The swashbuckling finisher will have to sit on the bench as Jitesh and Rinku Singh will be designated finishers in the team. With Ravindra Jadeja returning to the team, there remains no spot open for Tilak Varma in the India Playing XI.
What to expect from India Playing XI?
- Star batter Shubman Gill returns to the Playing XI after being rested for the Australia series. The Baby GOAT will be ready to go out full throttle at the Proteas. He will partner young Yashasvi Jaiswal who is likely to get the nod ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- At Number 3, Shreyas Iyer gets his preferred spot. He will partner SKY who will bat at number 4.
- With the top order set, Jitesh Sharma will don the keeper’s gloves after getting the nod ahead of Ishan Kishan. Rinku Singh will partner as the designated finisher in the team.
- In the bottom, Ravindra Jadeja slots in as the anchor of the tea who will get a free role to dictate his batting as and when the situation demands.
- It will be a tough spinners battle between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav after the former impressed the BCCI with his excellent spell in the IND vs AUS series.
- Mohammed Siraj will spearhead the pace attack with the likes of Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh.
Predicted India Playing XI vs South Africa 1st T20I
1. Shubman Gill
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shreyas Iyer
4. Suryakumar Yadav (C)
5. Jitesh Sharma (WK)
6. Rinku Singh
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Ravi Bishnoi/Kuldeep Yadav
9. Mohammed Siraj
10. Arshdeep Sigh
11. Mukesh Kumar
India’s squad for 3 T20Is: 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.
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