India’s probable playing XI for the second T20I against South Africa has been named by Aakash Chopra. He also stated that the same XI will most likely play the final T20I.
The second T20I of the three-match series will be played on Tuesday, December 12 at Gqeberha. The series opener in Durban on Sunday was called off due to rain.
Chopra stated in a video posted on his YouTube channel that six players of India’s T20I team may not be able to participate in the series. He stated:
“Only a two-match series is left. It means six people will now not play cricket in this series. So six people from the 17-member squad will not get a chance now because whoever you play today, you will play them in the next match as well. It is obvious.”
Aakash Chopra
Former India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal believes Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill should be chosen over Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top of the order. He reasoned as follows:
“So who will open? I feel they will ask Ruturaj to wait because he plays ODIs as well. So he can play ODIs and they can get Yashasvi and Shubman to open here. In the middle order, I feel Rinku Singh at No. 5 and Jitesh Sharma at No. 6.”
Aakash Chopra
Gaikwad is in India’s team for the next ODI series against South Africa, however Jaiswal and Gill are not. Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav are almost expected to bat first, ahead of Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma.
“Ideally they should play Ravi but they will have to show courage to make Kuldeep sit out” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes that the decision between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav may be the only difficult one for the Indian team management. He stated:
“After that, Ravindra Jadeja. When they will do a toss-up between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep, ideally they should play Ravi but they will have to show courage to make Kuldeep sit out, if you can do that. Then the three fast bowlers.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra chose South Africa as the game’s small favorite. He stated:
“The opposing team is decent, whether it is (Heinrich) Klaasen, (David) Miller or (Aiden) Markram. You will get Gerald Coetzee in fast bowling and Keshav Maharaj. If it doesn’t rain, I feel it’s about 55-45 in favor of South Africa but may the best team win.”
Aakash Chopra
Deepak Chahar is said to have not yet visited South Africa. If Chahar is unavailable, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar will form a three-pronged seam assault.
