In the third T20 clash between India and South Africa at Centurion’s Supersport Park on Wednesday, the Indian batting lineup faces a stern test against South Africa’s pace attack. The pitch at Centurion, known for its pace and bounce, is similar to the challenging surface of Gakebarha where the Indian batsmen faltered in the second match. With the series currently tied 1-1, captain Suryakumar Yadav’s side must improve their batting performance to gain an edge. Aside from Hardik Pandya, no current Indian player has previous T20 experience at this venue, making it uncharted territory for the team.
Pressure on Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma has struggled at the top of the order, failing to support Sanju Samson in the first two matches. Should his form continue to wane, the team management might consider promoting Tilak Verma to open alongside Samson, while including Ramanjit Singh as a middle-order reinforcement.
Suryakumar Must Lead from the Front
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, known for his 360-degree shot-making, has had a quiet series so far, scoring only 21 and 4 in the first two matches. His batting will be crucial for India’s success in Centurion. Rinku Singh, who managed scores of 11 and 9, has also struggled to fulfill his role as a finisher. While Hardik Pandya showed some resilience with 39 runs off 45 balls in the second game, Sanju Samson’s explosive 107-run knock in the first match stands as a rare highlight. Tilak Verma’s contributions of 33 and 20 have also provided some stability.
Spin Duo Shines Bright
India’s spin department has been a standout feature, led by Varun Chakraborty and Ravi Bishnoi. Varun’s deceptive googlies have troubled the South African lineup, claiming figures of 3/25 and an impressive 5/17 in the first and second matches respectively. Ravi Bishnoi has supported well, taking four wickets across both games. However, the pace attack, particularly Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan, has struggled, allowing South Africa to chase down runs in the death overs.
South Africa’s Batting Woes
The South African batting unit has had its share of struggles. Captain Aiden Markram and seasoned finisher David Miller have yet to find form, while Heinrich Klaasen hasn’t delivered a significant knock. Gerald Coetzee’s brief but impactful innings of 23 and 19 runs, and Tristan Stubbs’ 47 in the second match, have been the few bright spots for the hosts.
Probable Squads
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Vijaykumar Vaishak, Avesh Khan, Varun Chakraborty, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal, Ravi Bishnoi, Ramandeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma.
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, N. Peter, Otniel Bartman, Donovan Ferreira, Mihlali Mpongwana, Patrick Kruger.
