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Editor's Pick (T20): India - South Africa

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Even the most optimistic person would not have predicted an almost white-wash by India in South Africa. Especially after the start, we had during the test match. We lost the first two tests. We won the third and then it looked like there was no shutting us down. Except for a slight comeback by the home team for half a second, we completely ruled the ODI series hands down.

It is a fact that a series win against South Africa in South Africa does not happen that often. Shastri, the head coach praised the wrist spinners of the team along with the ability of the team to bounce back with a bang.

Team South Africa had a rude wake-up call. This was supposed to be a preparation of sorts for the upcoming world cup. The whole vision 2019 was to include more players in the current tournaments to test them and prepare them for the world cup. They are taking this loss in their stride by believing that it is better to lose now than in the biggest tournament. The trick is to learn from their mistakes. A loss in the hometown is a good kick indeed.

They need to ensure that there is enough support for the big guns. A team play. Not a one-man show.

The T20 series begins tomorrow. 18th Feb 2018. The centenary celebration programme aims to honour the values and legacy of former President Nelson Mandela. The doubleheader will also serve as a celebration of 20 years of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa. Another trivia - the Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations, also coincide with the 125th anniversary of when Mahatma Gandhi was thrown off a train at the Pietermaritzburg Railway station after he refused to move from a whites’ only compartment.

Duminy takes over the captain’s cap for the T20. Uncapped batsman Christiaan Jonker is added. Thanks to the injuries, new players get a new chance. They need to take advantage of this to ensure that they cement a place at the world cup.

JP Duminy being dropped probably came as a surprise to many. It is not the first time he has been dropped. And he has accepted in the past that he deserves to be dropped. The last time he was dropped from the test team, he announced his retirement eventually from the longest format.

South Africa T20 squad: JP Duminy (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, AB de Villiers, Reeza Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts.

India on the other hand is on a high. Players such as Shardul Thakur and Shreyas Iyer are also able to get some action thanks to good rotation. Shardul Thakur did extremely well and topped our Fantain Fantasy platform with 61 points. His four-wicket haul came at a very crucial time. Both for the team and personally. Jasprit Bumrah and Y Chahal have pretty much established themselves in this tournament. Pandya and K Yadav took one wicket each. All the bowlers took wickets. Captain Kohli’s 129 gave India a smooth ride to victory.

Picking a lineup for the T20 could be hard with most players of South Africa not being consistent and most Indian players performing really well. There’s a tricky match ahead.

Suresh Raina is being called back. Along Jaydev Unadkat and Lokesh Rahul. Only adds to the plot.

Let’s take a look at the probable team 
South Africa [SA] Probable Playing 11 :
Jean-Paul Duminy(c), Farhaan Behardien, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), AB de Villiers, Dane Paterson, Reeza Hendricks, Aaron Phangiso/ Tabraiz Shamsi, Chris Morris, David Miller, JJ Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo,
India [IND] Probable Playing 11 :
Virat Kohli(c), MS Dhoni (wk), Lokesh Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suresh Raina, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan,

Key Players
Batsmen
Virat Kohli
Shikhar Dhawan
Rohit Sharma
JP Duminy
AB De Villiers
Bowlers
Y Chahal
Jasprit Bumrah
Kuldeep Yadav
Andile Phehlukwayo

What do you think? Do listen to our audio podcast for more view

Indu



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