SA vs IND, 2nd T20I Preview: Abhishek Sharma in focus as India eye 2-0 lead
India are heading into the second T20I in Gqeberha after showcasing dominant form in their opening victory against South Africa.
The Proteas, captained by Aiden Markram, will be looking to bounce back after a lackluster performance that saw them unable to capitalise on favourable conditions at Kingsmead, leading to a 61-run loss.
Under Suryakumar Yadav, India have looked like a well-oiled machine and the visitors will be hoping to continue their rich vein of form in the second T20I, which will be hosted by the St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Sanju Samson’s record-breaking hundred and the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi orchestrated India’s massive win in the series opener. India are unlikely to tinker with the winning combination and any thoughts of testing their bench strength will be influenced by the conditions on Sunday, November 10.
However, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma as the young opener has looked out of sorts in the recent past.
TIME TICKING FOR ABHISHEK SHARMA?
Since the standout century against Zimbabwe in only his second T20I outing, Abhishek Sharma has struggled to find consistency. In eight of his nine innings in T20Is, Abhishek has not gone past the 20-run mark. His last significant contribution came with a solid 54-run knock for India A against the UAE in the Emerging Asia Cup, yet he hasn’t reached that level on the international stage.
With other candidates for the opener spot — Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill — expected to return to contention for the T20I squad after India’s Border Gavaskar Trophy clash against Australia, Abhishek needs to step up and deliver in South Africa to retain his place in the squad.
Yes, Abhishek has been given the licence to go big from the word go, but the young batter has to find a way to balance aggression and common sense in order to succeed at the top.
India have options like Yash Dayal and Ramandeep Singh, who impressed as a substitute fielder in the series opener. With the pitch in Gqberha offering more assistance to pace, India might be tempted to play an extra pace. All-rounder Ramandeep Singh, with his medium pace, might get a go in the second T20I.
WILL SOUTH AFRICA MAKE CHANGES?
South Africa, on the other hand, need to find a way to be more competitive. However, Aiden Markram’s side are unlikely to panic and make wholesale changes after the first T20I. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller suffered rare failures in the middle-order and the two senior pros will be keen on getting back into rhythm.
South Africa’s young bowling line-up will be tested again. Leg-spinner Nqaba Peter might face the axe after a difficult outing and is likely to be replaced by fast bowler Ottneil Baartman. Reeza Hendricks, who missed the series opener due to illness, is likely to return to the top of the order.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS: GQEBERHA
The pitch at the St George’s Park is expected to assist pacers more than spinners. There’s a bit of rain predicted for the second T20I on Sunday.
Notably, India lost their T20I at the venue last year despite posting 180 for 7 in 20 overs. South Africa won a rain-curtailed match by 5 wickets. While Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh shone with the bat, South Africa rode on Gerald Coetzee’s bowling show to emerge victorious.
SA v IND, 2nd T20I PREDICTED PLAYING XI
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, AIden Markram (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman.
India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardin Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Avdesh Khan.