IND v SA | India’s predicted XI for the 2nd T20I in Mohali
Team India go into the second of three T20Is hoping to finally kick-off their preparations for the T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia next year. With the first T20I being washed out, Virat Kohli and Co. will look to maximise the high-scoring flat tracks at the PCA stadium in Mohali.
Openers
Rohit Sharma: The two months since that incredible run at the World Cup has been quite dull in the life of the Indian vice-captain. He had a quiet tour of the West Indies, did not feature in either of the two Tests, and rumours about a rift between him and skipper Kohli have circulated the media. Up next for Rohit is a young, inexperienced South African attack, and that too on a Mohali pitch that has proven a batting paradise in recent times. And he will be itching to stand and deliver, once again.
Shikhar Dhawan: Although he was just returning from injury, Dhawan did not make it through the Caribbean tour with flying colours. But nor did his competition for the opening spot, KL Rahul. Dhawan got his chance to play himself into the Indian conditions once again when he featured in the India ‘A’ side against South Africa ‘A’. The southpaw better continues the form he showed in the fifth one-dayer of that series if he wants to still be in consideration for Australia 2020.
Middle-order
Virat Kohli: Virat had an on and off tour of the West Indies. Not to mention the fact that he had his No.1 Test Ranking stolen off him by Steve Smith. Perhaps it will be of some motivation that his T20 ranking (12th) is worse off than in red-ball cricket. How nice of South Africa to put some inexperienced bowlers for the king to pounce and make up ground in the shortest format as well. Also, watch out for Kohli taking on a rejuvenated Kagiso Rabada.
Shreyas Iyer: After an impressive captaincy/top-order batsman stint in the IPL with Delhi Capitals, Iyer showed up in the Caribbean as a man on the scene to reclaim what he believed to be rightfully his – a permanent spot in India’s middle-order. Well, he proved his point pretty clearly with back-to-back half-centuries. Now, all the young Mumbaikar needs to do is to settle in and cement his spot so firmly that no one dare leave him out again.
Rishabh Pant: Once again, Pant will go into a full international series knowing with 100% certainty that he will feature in all the matches. The frustrating part for the Indian fan is that Pant is being given these chances not based on merit, but purely because the board wants to back his talent. Careful, though, because a certain Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are knocking on the door hard, and Kohli sent out a warning that no one will be getting more than five chances at most.
All-rounders
Hardik Pandya: He wasn’t injured when the BCCI decided to rest India’s best all-rounder option for the tour of West Indies. He was simply rested as part of the effort to balance the workload on the most important players in the lineup. But in an inexperienced T20 side looking to find its best 18 for the World Cup next year, Hardik stands out as a senior man. And the whole of India wants him to take on a more mature role from now on.
Krunal Pandya: The senior Pandya is one of two options for a left-arm spinning all-rounder that India has in the squad – the other, Ravindra Jadeja. But Krunal gets the nod simply because he is looked at as much more of a specialist in T20s. He is used to turning up with big-match performances and although these are only preparatory exercises for the big event next year, the 28-year-old will hope to put in some significant all-round performances.
Washington Sundar: It is unlikely that India will opt to go in with two very similar players in Krunal and Jadeja in the same lineup. It is also unlikely that India will play three specialist fast bowlers – given that Hardik is expected to bowl his full quota – on a flat pitch that slows down as the game progresses. Hence, Sundar becomes a suitable option with his gentle off-spinners turning away from the likes of Quinton de Kock and David Miller.
Bowlers
Deepak Chahar: There is no Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the lineup. However, if India were to look for a younger version of a similar line-and-length bowler, Deepak might just be the one. For two years, he has taken the new ball in the IPL for CSK and when he did so for his nation against West Indies, he returned with figures of three for four. So for the 27-year-old from Agra, this is the chance to get more good international game time under his belt.
Rahul Chahar: When you want wickets, you turn to your leg-spinner – that is a tactic that has worked well for many teams over the years. Rahul is not a big spinner of the ball, nor is he India’s best. But with senior men like Ravi Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav missing, here’s a golden opportunity for the underdog to write his name into Ravi Shastri’s plans for the World Cup. Also, watch out for his battle against the exciting Rassie van der Dussen.
Khaleel Ahmed: He may be Bhuvi’s understudy at the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. But, for this series, he is the most experienced of the three fast bowlers picked in the squad. For a 21-year-old, that is quite a lot of pressure to be put under. But perhaps Khaleel may want to focus on the other side of things. If he comes through this test, he is a near-certain pick for the long term. If he doesn’t, the likes of Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur are waiting in line.