What's The Best Thing India Can Do With This Squad In South Africa T20Is?

Understanding the roles of players in the Indian squad for the South Africa T20 series and probable playing XI.

After more than two months of playing against each other in the highly competitive season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Indian team will once again play together for their next assignment against South Africa in a five-match T20I series. 

Even though there is this common theory of keeping IPL performances away from the international performances, this squad has several players wholeheartedly picked from the recent season: Dinesh Karthik, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, and Hardik Pandya. 

These four names had a tremendous IPL 2022 where: Karthik smacked the bowlers left, right, and center as a finisher scoring 330 runs at a strike rate of 183.33 and an average of 55 in just 180 balls he faced while playing for RCB; Arshdeep came out as a terrific slog overs bowler where he had the second-best economy of 7.59 in 17-20 overs; Umran Malik's express pace and 22 wickets in this season; and finally the redemption of Hardik Pandya the all-rounder. 

India Full Squad vs South Africa: KL Rahul (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (WK), Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (VC)(WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik

With the several key players rested, this is a terrific chance for India to try a different template in the T20 setup, which currently is largely based on run accumulation rather than hitting. 

Picking Karthik on the basis of his performances for RCB as a finisher means the Rahul Dravid-led management will have a similar role for him in the national squad. Karthik was used brilliantly by RCB where his entry point was decided to be after 13-14 overs where he will be facing more pacers than spinners and power hit through the rest of the inning. 

Umran Malik's is an interesting one. The 22-year-old fast bowler impressed everyone with his speed consistently clocking over 150 kmph throughout the season. Sunrisers Hyderabad majorly used him as a middle over enforcer where he kept hitting the back of the lengths and also used the yorker well. While Malik's downside was his lack of control on several occasions, the more he'll bowl with a plan the better he'll become. 

Hardik Pandya's redemption as an all-rounder is a major relief for the Indian squad. Pandya in IPL 2022 displayed why he is rated so highly. Pandya was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament and picked eight wickets at an economy of 7.2. Yes, there are still some question marks over his full bowling fitness but if Pandya can provide 2-3 economical overs, the Indian team will benefit largely from it. 

Pandya was given a new role with the bat, to bat up the order - through the middle overs - and control the inning. He more or less perfected that role which also gives India another option as a number four. It'll be very interesting what role is given to Pandya but given his form, he'll more or less nail it. 

India's Probable Playing XI for 1st T20I vs South Africa - KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik/ Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal

Going by the recent performances, both Ishan and Ruturaj had an average season. Both of them had a tough time facing swinging balls at high speeds - something that South African bowlers will exploit. Don't expect India to score more than 40-45 runs in the powerplay as both Rahul and the other opener (Gaikwad or Ishan) are slow starters. Yet the positive thing is - there is less chance of India losing 2-3 wickets in the powerplay. 

India will target to up the scoring rate in the middle overs. The anchoring duties, in an ideal situation, would shift to Shreyas Iyer at this time while Rahul goes berserk from the other end. Rishabh Pant's intent in the first 10 balls during IPL 2022 will be helpful as India look to keep maintaining the scoring rate. 

If South Africa play with a four pace bowler attack then Pandya could be promoted before Pant to control the inning as well as keep up with the scoring rate. The aim for the batters should be to delay Karthik's entry till the 15th over. 

Axar Patel had a terrific season with the bat lower down the order. Axar and Harshal Patel at seven and eight will be the position that'll potentially decide India's result. Ideally, India need another batter and that's where Pandya's bowling fitness comes into play. If he's not fit to bowl four overs, India will have to play an extra bowler resulting in one less specialist batter and hence Axar and Harshal at seven and eight. 

Yuzvendra Chahal will be the first-choice spinner and is very likely to pair with Axar. While Chahal attacks (as he did for Rajasthan Royals), Axar will keep things tight at the other end (as he did for Delhi Capitals). 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the bowling attack. However, there is one issue - who will be the second new ball bowler? Umran - can he control the new ball? Harshal - who'll bowl in the second half? 

The team combination makes up that Avesh Khan is the likely starter in the XI ahead of Umran Malik just because of his ability to provide control with the new ball. Avesh will be used similarly as he bowled for Lucknow Super Giants - 2 in PP, 1 in MO, and 1 in DO. 

Given India's squad for this series, it is evident they won't play an all-out attacking cricket. They have once picked batter with run accumulating ability. However, on the individual level, it'll be great to see how a few players will live up to the challenge.