India and South Africa will face each other on Sunday in the second T20I of the three-match series at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The Rohit Sharma-led side are leading 1-0 in the series as it had won the first game by 8 wickets in Thiruvananthapuram. Therefore, the second T20I is a must-win game for the Proteas if they are to stay alive in the series. Meanwhile, India will also be eager to take another win and seal another run – their last T20I affair ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia.
In the first game, India played with five bowlers and won the game quite easily. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if they are tempted to add a sixth bowling option to the playing XI by dropping Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik.
Here’s what we think India’s XI against South Africa could be in the second T20I:
Rohit Sharma (c): The Indian skipper fell to a two-ball duck in the first T20I against South Africa. However, he is in good shape with the bat. While there haven’t been that many big scores lately for Rohit, he has managed to hit positively with good hitting speed.
KL Rahul: With three fifties in the last 5 innings, KL Rahul has definitely regained his form. In the first T20I against the Proteas, he had scored an unbeaten 51 to lead India home.
Virat Kohli: The right-handed batter has not been as consistent lately as he has been during his best days. However, his recent comeback in form has infused a positive energy into his percussion.
Suryakumar Yadav: With back-to-back fifties, the right-handed batter continues to bolster India’s middle class. In his case, however, more than the runs it’s about the series of shots in his arsenal that steal the spotlight. Always!
Rishabh Pants: The wicketkeeper batter has had very limited opportunities lately and his poor T20I stats make it all the more worrisome. He is likely to stay in the playing XI against South Africa in the second T20I.
Dinesh Karthik: The match-finisher has shown glimpses of his brilliance since returning to the national side after a long gap, but the best of Karthik is still awaited.
Axar Patel: The southpaw was right with the ball in hand which is one of the main reasons India doesn’t feel the pressure of an injured Ravindra Jadeja missing the cricket action. Axar is also handy with the bat.
Ravichandran Ashwin: The off-spinner has struggled to take wickets lately, but his impressive economy keeps him in the schedule. Although he didn’t get a wicket, Ashwin gave up just 8 runs in his four overs against South Africa in the first T20I.
Harshal Patel: The pacemaker with the right arm moves slowly and gradually back into its groove. He returned figures of 2 for 26 in four overs against South Africa.
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Deepak Chahar: The swing bowler impressed with the new ball against South Africa in the first T20I. Overall, he returned numbers of 2 for 24 in his four overs.
Arshdeep Singh: The left arm pacer had picked three wickets and conceded 32 runs in the first T20I against South Africa. He was perfect with the ball in play and that will boost his confidence in the coming games.
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