After remaining unbeaten in the group stage, the Indian team will now start the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup from Sunday. Defending champions India will face last time’s runners-up at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Recently, there was a bilateral T20 series between the two teams, but it is not going to be easy for both of them to play the match at the crucial juncture of the World Cup. It is unlikely that there will be any major changes in the Indian team for this match. Samson is less likely to get a chance. Abhishek Sharma has been out on zero in three consecutive matches and is waiting for his first run in the tournament. Abhishek’s poor form before the Super Eight stage remains a matter of concern for the Indian team management. After Abhishek’s poor performance, the discussion has increased on whether India will give a chance to Sanju Samson? Bowling coach Morne Morkel had made it clear that there was no discussion in the dressing room on dropping Abhishek from the eleven, hence there is no possibility of Samson getting a chance. There is very little possibility that Samson will be given a chance in place of Abhishek. Abhishek has been out to off-spinners twice in a row and hence it will be interesting to see whether South African captain Aiden Markram decides to bowl off-break in the powerplay or not.
Tilak and Suryakumar will have to handle the front
India will face a tough challenge from South Africa in the Super Eights, which will test captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma’s changed strategy of batting steady instead of playing big shots. Except opener Ishan Kishan, the other three batsmen in the top four have not shown any special talent so far. Although Suryakumar and Tilak have played the role of facilitators, both of them have not performed comfortably on such pitches where the ball is coming at a standstill. India have also been largely dependent on Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dubey to score runs. The team will again expect good performance from these two all-rounders.
Akshar’s return will force Washington to sit out
India had rested vice-captain Axar Patel in the final match of the group stage against Netherlands. In that match, Washington Sundar had come to play in place of Akshar. It is almost certain that Akshar will return to the playing-11 against South Africa. With Akshar’s return, it is certain that Washington will have to sit out as the team already has two all-rounders in Hardik and Shivam.
Arshdeep or Kuldeep, with whom will India go?
Barring the match against Pakistan, India has so far fielded two specialist fast bowlers. The match against Netherlands was held in Ahmedabad itself and in that match the spinners got help from the pitch. In such a situation, the Indian team can consider fielding an additional spinner. In this situation, Arshdeep Singh may have to sit out and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav may return to the playing-11. Kuldeep played in the match against Pakistan. If India goes with three spinners, then Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Kuldeep will handle the spin, while Jasprit Bumrah will be the only specialist fast bowler. Whereas, Hardik Pandya will start with the new ball.
Probable playing-11 of both the teams for this match:
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh/Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickleton, Dewald Brewis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj.