India put up a strong performance in the third T20I against South Africa in Vizag which has kept the five-match T20I series alive. But on Friday evening, the hosts should be in another win-win situation, with the Tourists still leading 2-1 and needing a win to close the series.
India vs South Africa 2022: Schedule , news , photos
India’s opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishaan Kishan Were in excellent touch with each half-century, while Hardik Pandya applied the finishing touches to convert them into winning totals. However, one player’s performance again came under scrutiny.
Rishabh Pant has been struggling with form in T20 cricket for some time now. In the first match of the series in Delhi, he scored 29 off 16 balls, but then went on to score two single-digit scores of 5 and 6 in the second and third T20Is respectively.
In fact, 44 is the most he has achieved in his last 10 innings IPL 2022 where he led Delhi Capitals for the South Africa T20I before being handed over the captaincy in the absence of injured KL Rahul.
In contrast, Pant has been doing exceptionally well in Test cricket, where he averages 40.85 in 30 Tests, with four centuries and nine half-centuries. Whereas in 46 T20Is, he averages 23.32 and has just three fifties to show.
the former India Opener Aakash Chopra has said that Pant will have to score some runs in the remaining two T20Is, calling him ‘a category player in Tests who has failed to replicate the success in the shortest format’.
“Rishabh Pant has to score more runs, he has not been able to score many runs so far. In the first match, he played a crucial innings but since then he has not looked like Rishabh Pant. He is a class player in Tests but in T20s he has had ups and downs like an ECG.
Chopra also thinks that the Indian team cannot change their bowling combination and if they do, it could be Avesh Khan who will be pushed to the bench.
“Avesh Khan is the only one (Akshar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel besides four others) who has not taken a single wicket. India can make changes if it wants. This is going to be a subjective call, but it will be interesting who will replace him. Debut can be given to either Arshdeep (Singh) or Umran (Malik). Don’t raise an eyebrow if they go with the same bowling attack. It is absolutely fine,” he said.
Chopra also said that the Vizag defeat showed that South Africa lack depth in their batting department. “South Africa’s batting lacks depth, they have been reminded of it. If the pitch offers turn, they will be more exposed. But expect them to come strong and tough. South Africa is the only team against which India has never won a home T20 series.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos And cricket score Here