The four-match T20 series between India and South Africa will start from Friday. In this match to be played in Durban, the Indian team will be seen playing under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. In this match, eyes will be on Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
Samson has a golden opportunity to make a place in the team
Wicketkeeper batsman Samson recently got a chance to open the innings in the home T20 series against Bangladesh and he proved the decision of the team management right by playing an innings of 111 runs in 47 balls. Rohit Sharma has retired from T20 international cricket and in such a situation, Samson will try to cement his place in the Indian top order in this format by playing some good innings against South Africa.
Abhishek would like to improve his performance
This series is also very important for Abhishek Sharma as he has struggled to score runs after scoring an attractive century against Zimbabwe in Harare in July. He will have to bring consistency in his performance to cement his place. He would also like to perform better as a left-arm spin bowler.
Tilak would like to make a strong comeback
Tilak Verma is in a similar situation. The left-handed batsman made an impact with his performance while making his T20 International debut against West Indies in August 2023, but after that he could not perform as expected. He has only one half-century to his name in the 12 T20 Internationals he has played so far. He played his last match against Afghanistan in January this year. This Hyderabad player will also be desperate to perform well. He would also like to use his off-spin better.
These youngsters would like to shine
This will also be a good opportunity for wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma and spinner Varun Chakraborty. Chakraborty impressed by taking five wickets against Bangladesh. The selectors will also keep a close eye on how fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Vishak Vijaykumar and Yash Dayal perform against South Africa. Arshdeep and Avesh have experience of playing international cricket, while Vishak and Dayal have made it to the Indian team on the basis of good performance in domestic cricket and IPL. Another player is Ramandeep Singh who performed well in the IPL and that is why Kolkata Knight Riders retained him. Ramandeep looks like a complete cricketer. He is an aggressive batsman in the lower order, a medium pace bowler and an excellent fielder.
After Rohit-Kohli, these seniors will have a big responsibility on their shoulders
Senior players of the team like captain Suryakumar Yadav, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will also try to make the series against South Africa memorable. As far as South Africa is concerned, its team will be desperate to avenge its defeat at the hands of India in the final of the T20 World Cup in June.
The probable playing 11 of both the teams for the first match is as follows…
India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakraborty, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan.
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Otniel Bartman, Patrick Kruger.
