After clinching an all-important series win against Australia (4-1), team India now turn their heads towards the South African sojourn, where they play three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests. India will play almost the same squad for the T20Is, though the likes of Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj have been included as well. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
With the T20 World Cup 2024 a major focus for either teams, it remains to be seen which players play an eye-catching role that could earn them a ticket to the West Indies and the United States of America next year.
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For now, here are three things to look forward to from India's tour of South Africa, T20I series:
1) Team India's Openers:
With the inclusion of Shubman Gill, it remains to be seen how the management plan the remaining playing XI. Gill is an outright opening batter but Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been a hit during the recently concluded T20I series against Australia. With Tilak Varma underperforming, either of three could make way in the middle-order. Anyways, it makes an interesting proposition for the Men In Blue, who have a headache on their hands, albeit one which teams around the globe would be envious of.
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2) India's Swing-bowling Option:
Mukesh Kumar bowled his heart out in the Australia T20I series but the tour to South Africa offers a different proposition. With the inclusion of Mohammed Siraj, India's bowling arsenal has got a massive uplift and, with seaming conditions in South Africa, watch out for the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar. With T20 World Cup a target, fans could be looking at the very same bowling outfit that will fly out to the West Indies and USA next year.
3) Will Ravi Bishnoi Get A Look-in?
Ravi Bishnoi was a revelation against Australia in the home series however with the arrivals of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar; the wrist bowler could be overlooked purely on batting terms. However, given the form he is now, the Indian management could give Bishnoi a look-in as the Proteas don't read spin that well.
India's squad for 3 T20Is: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Deepak Chahar
