India lived up to their billing. The current T20 world champions produced a dominant show at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack to outclass South Africa by a massive margin of 101 runs and take a 1-0 lead
in the five-match series. On what was a tricky surface, the returning Hardik Pandya showed why he’s built a reputation as a clutch player with a blistering knock to propel India to a match-winning total.
A majority of India’s batters struggled to get going in the first T20I but not Pandya, who struck an unbeaten 59 off 28, during which he peppered the boundary with six fours and four sixes as the hosts recovered from 137/6 to 175/6 in 20 overs.
Still, the target appeared gettable, only for Indian bowlers to then stamp their authority in a collective display. Arshdeep Singh began the demolition job as early as the first over when he had Quinton de Kock caught in the slips for a two-ball duck.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav showed India’s depth in the bowling department as he used all of his six options (barring the part-timers) and none of them disappointed. Axar Patel, Arshdeep, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy took two wickets each while Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket each as South Africa were bowled out for 74 runs – the lowest they’ve scored in a T20I.
India’s Probable XI For 2nd T20I
Now, with a team performance, the big question: Should India remain unchanged for the second match scheduled to be played on Thursday (December 11) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur?
Cricket wisdom advises against disturbing the winning combination.
India left out left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav from their playing XI for the series opener despite him picking a four-fer in his last T20I – the final of the Asia Cup. Given how the other spinners performed in Cuttack, it appears difficult that Kuldeep will be included for the second game.
Eyes, though, will be on vice-captain and opener Shubman Gill, who made his return from a neck injury. He lasted two deliveries and scored a boundary.
Given Gill has replaced Sanju Samson at the top of the order, the former will be under pressure to justify the inclusion given how the wicketkeeper-batter excelled in that position before being demoted down the order and then eventually pushed out from the playing XI. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has featured in the XI for the fourth match in a row now ahead of Samson.
It appears for now that Gill will continue to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma and Samson’s re-entry is dependent on how Jitesh performs.
We expect India to remain unchanged.
India’s Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
