India’s performance in the current T20 series has seen a 180-degree turn against South Africa. After losing the first two matches, Rishabh Pant’s India came back to win the next two matches and forced a decider in Bengaluru on Sunday (June 19).
Despite having a few young names in the team, the Indian management stuck with experienced bowlers, who eventually came back well after struggling early in the series. However, the top order including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant are still looking to set fire to the series with the series on the line.
The likes of Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya successfully lifted the heavyweights in the previous match, with Karthik also registering his maiden T20I half-century while Pandya missed it. The faith that the Rahul Dravid-led think tank had in Avesh Khan finally came to the rescue as he picked up crucial wickets.
At the same time, a fall of 180 degrees was recorded in South Africa. The Proteas got off to a good start, winning two matches, ending India’s 12-match winning streak. David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen dodged India’s bowlers before being exposed in South Africa’s third and fourth matches. Proteas bowlers also looted runs in the middle and death overs.
India’s Predicted Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan
South Africa Probable Playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Dwayne Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Henrik Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Janssen, Tabrez Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Enrique Nortje, Lungi Ngidi