India vs South Africa | Predicted XI for 1st T20I in Johannesburg
After a thumping win in the ODI series that has probably compensated for the Test series loss prior to that, Virat Kohli will be hoping to keep the run going in the limited-overs format as the T20I series starts. However, India will definitely try tweaking the squad with some new names coming in.
Openers
Rohit Sharma - Though Rohit Sharma has shown his mighty abilities only in glimpses so far, India cannot afford to bench him in limited-overs format in any way. Though KL Rahul has been flown in from India to be included in the 15-man squad, Rohit will definitely not be the casualty here. Though Rohit’s semi-hits didn’t help India much in ODIs, a quick thirty could help a long way in T20s.
Shikhar Dhawan - Apart from skipper Virat Kohli, the southpaw opener has been in sublime form so far. In the six ODIs that India played, Dhawan has scored 323 runs at an average of 64.60, which includes one century and two fifties. Alongside Rohit, he has proven to be the most consistent opener for India in recent times.
Middle order
Virat Kohli - The skipper has been in fiery form since the very beginning of the tour and has taken solely it upon himself to rectify India’s record in the Rainbow nation. After helping India to win the ODI series 5-1 with three centuries and one half-century in six games, he will be determined more than ever
Suresh Raina - Clearly, this will be the biggest game of Raina’s career in over a year. The southpaw is coming back in national colours after almost a year and a good performance here could more or less help him stake a claim for a place in the 2019 World Cup squad. However, he has a gloomy record in South Africa where he averages only 21.75.
© Getty ImagesManish Pandey - This is probably one of the last chances for India’s once-potential number 4 batsman as well after he was overlooked in the ODIs with Ajinkya Rahane taking his place. Pandey got a decent amount of chances in the last two years in the limited-overs format, but the 28-year-old hasn’t been eye-catching during the home season as such with an average of 26.55 in T20Is. Another half-decent display and he could be out forever.
MS Dhoni - As days go by Dhoni’s importance is felt more and more in the shortest format of the game. With his ability to think on his feet and guide young spinners with the changing conditions of a game, he is the biggest asset Kohli has and he would want to use him to the fullest.
Hardik Pandya - Team India’s dark horse, Pandya is an all-purpose asset for the Men in Blue whose strengths isn’t limited to just batting and bowling, but he is incredibly handy in fielding as well. Though the pinch-hitter hasn’t come into effect in the tour that often with the wood, his ability to pick wickets at regular intervals has been crucial for Kohli.
Pacers
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - The seam bowler has surprisingly wearied out with every game after a bursting entrance in the Test format. However, India
Jasprit Bumrah - Bhuvneshwar’s younger partner in crime has been coming on pretty decent in his first South Africa outing and has been a regular in the Indian line-up so far. In the ODIs, he has taken eight wickets at an average of 20.87 and he is only expected to improve in the format he specializes in.
Spinners
Kuldeep Yadav - India’s wrist spinning duo
Yuzvendra Chahal - Chahal trails Yadav by just one wicket after India’s only poor spin display during the Pink ODI as he has taken 16 wickets at an average of 16.37. However, he has a good chance of bettering his spin partner in Johannesburg on Sunday.
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