New Delhi: India would need to produce a much improved batting display if they are to take an unassailable lead in the third T20I of their four-match series against South Africa in Centurion on Wednesday.
As playing conditions are expected to be similarly quick and bouncy at the SuperSport Park like that of the second match at Gqeberha, Indian batters have a task in hand.
The top order needs to find a way to tackle the probing South African pacers after being clueless in the second game when they were restricted to only 124/6.
Left handed opener Abhishek Sharma’s need to start scoring before the team management’s patience wears thin after several low scores.
Tilka Verma is on hand to partner Sanju Samson at the top, which would allow Ramandeep Singh to be drafted in the middle to add more muscle to batting unit.
The middle order also needs to pull their weight as skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh haven’t looked comfortable in the two matches so far.
Unlike Samson, who was peerless in the first game when he scored a century but was at his inconsistent best in the second game when he made zero. The keeper-batter would like to be more consistent to cement his place in the side when it become full strength.
Pacers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan have also blown hot or cold as Yash Dayal and Vysakh Vijaykumar are waiting in the wings.
Leg spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s career best five-wicket haul might not have led to a win at Gqeberha but he would be India’s trump card at Centurion.
Teams (from):
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya. Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh. Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen. Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger. Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton. Andile Simelane. Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs.
Match starts at 8.30pm IST.
Live on Sports 18 and Jio Cinema
With the series locked at 1-1, India take on South Africa in the third T20I in Centurion on Wednesday Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
