Team India Still a Work-in-Progress For WT20, Cracks Exposed vs SA

With still few gaps to fill, here’s a look at how the Indian playing XI performed in the T20 series vs South Africa.

While Virat Kohli (centre), Deepak Chahar (right) made their mark in the series, Rishabh Pant continued to struggle with the bat.

(Photo: The Quint)

India’s preparation for the World Twenty20 officially got underway with the three-match T20 series against South Africa last week.

But, unfortunately, Virat Kohli and Co hit a roadblock after they lost the final T20 international in Bengalaru on Sunday, 22 September. South Africa inflicted a nine-wicket thrashing to level the series 1-1.

Earlier, India went up 1-0 in the second T20I in Mohali after the first encounter in Dharamshala was washed out.

Skipper Kohli’s decision to bat first in Bengaluru, once again, exposed India’s weakness and the brittle middle-order. For a change, the bowling also couldn’t save the day.

With a few gaps still to fill in the batting order, especially the Pant dilemma, here’s a look at how the Indian playing XI performed in the T20i series against South Africa:

Rohit Sharma:

Not at all a great series with the bat for the Indian vice-captain. Rohit managed scores of 12 and 9 with the bat. In Mohali, Rohit looked good with the bat, hitting two maximums for his 12. But in Bengaluru, the opener didn’t look in his element at all.

The Indian side would be needing more than just 21 runs from two innings from their vice-captain at the top of the innings, especially with the World Twenty20 a year away.

Shikhar Dhawan:

An improved performance from the veteran. After a flop show with the bat in the Caribbean, Dhawan compensated with innings of 40 and 36 in the two T20 Internationals against South Africa.

At a decent average of 38.00 and a strike rate of 135.71, Dhawan looked to be in good touch. He is slowly but surely returning to form after the injury break – during the World Cup – which is always good news for the Indian team at the top of the order. Eleven boundaries, which included 8 fours and 3 sixes, can vouch for Dhawan’s return to form.

Virat Kohli:

The skipper continues to lead by example and remains the main batting stay of the side. Kohli hit a match-winning 72 not out in the second T20I in Mohali to lead his side to a six-wicket victory.

During his unbeaten 72 off 55 deliveries, Kohli never looked in a hurry and played his trademark risk-free cricket for 4 fours and 3 sixes. Unfortunately, he had an off-day in the final T20. Kohli was dismissed for 9 as the side finished with 134/9, only to lose the match by 9 wickets.

Apart from his batting, Kohli has been a livewire on the field. He pulled off a stunner in Mohali to dismiss his South African counterpart, the in-form Quinton de Kock

Rishabh Pant:

Change of venue, change of conditions, change of opponents but no change of luck for Pant. The 21-year-old wicket-keeper batsman continued his sorry form with the bat. He managed scores of 4 and 19 in his two innings in the series.

Again, Pant is being pulled up not for the lack of runs but the way he is playing his cricket and his shot selection. In fact, head coach Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathore openly expressed their disappointment with Pant’s batting. Adding to his woes, the wicketkeeper didn’t even score behind the wicket with his gloves.

Shreyas Iyer:

It is difficult to judge him in this series, especially after the great outing against the Windies in the ODI series. A contender for the highly debated number four spot, Iyer made way for struggling Pant. Shreyas came out to bat at number five in both the T20Is. He was not out on 16 in Mohali, where he hardly had an opportunity to show his batting. His real test was in Bengaluru, with India’s top three in the hut, but unfortunately, he managed only five runs.

It would really unjust to judge him in the series where he actually had limited opportunity. But. in the long run, Iyer has to make use of all the chances he is getting to make sure he is part of the World Twenty20 squad next year.

Hardik Pandya:

Since his return, Pandya has neither been effective with the bat or the ball. He didn’t come out to bat in Mohali but in the third T20I he wasn’t in his element at least with the bat. A strike rate of 77.77 is not what we are used to from junior Pandya.

It is evident that he needs more game time to get back in the flow in the run-up to the World Twenty20. With the ball, he just managed two wickets from 6 overs at a very expensive economy of exactly 9. The all-rounder would be highly crucial for India’s success Down Under next year.

Krunal Pandya:

Man-of-the-series in the T20 outings against West Indies, Krunal also suffered the same fate as his younger sibling. In the two T20Is he went unnoticed, both with the bat and the ball.

Four runs with the bat and no wickets to show from his 5 overs surely has dented his chances of laying a claim as the second all-rounder in the side.

Ravindra Jadeja:

With just 19 runs in the third T20I and one wicket in the second encounter, you can safely assume that Jadeja had a forgettable series. One of the regulars in the T20 format for India, Jadeja failed to take wickets for his side when they were defending a paltry total of 134.

With the bat also, a lot depended on him, especially when India were reeling at 98/6 in Bengaluru. With too many youngsters waiting in the wings, senior custodian Jadeja needs to up the ante to keep his place in the side.

Washington Sundar:

Wicketless in his last three T20Is, it is high time that Sundar justifies his selection in the playing XI. More than handy with the bat, Sundar has been unlucky with the bat as well.

The Tamil Nadu bowling all-rounder is surely on a slippery wicket as far as his place in the side is concerned, especially with Rahul Chahar also in the dressing room.

Deepak Chahar:

Deepak Chahar probably had the most difficult job to do. He had to fill in for Jasprit Bumrah and lead the pace attack for India in this T20I series against South Africa. It would be safe to say that he had a pretty decent outing in this series.

With two wickets in his pocket at the economy rate of 5.28, he certainly made sure that the team management doesn’t have to think twice before deciding on a third pacer to support Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar in T20s.

Navdeep Saini:

Despite being the fastest bowler of the lot, Navdeep had a pretty forgettable outing in this series. He conceded 59 runs in two matches with an economy rate of 9.83 and no wickets to his name. He makes a classic example of how pace alone won’t take him too far.

The seamer needs to work on his line and length, and be more consistent to become a permanent feature in Team India’s scheme of things, as far as the shortest format of the game is concerned.