India vs Australia, 1st T20I, India Predicted XI: Will Dinesh Karthik Be Preferred Over Rishabh Pant?

20.09.2022 - 04:15 sports.ndtv.com

India and Australia face each other in a three-match T20I series, starting September 20. The first match is set to take place in Mohali while the rest two matches will take place in Nagpur (September 23) and Hyderabad (September 25).

Besides looking to win the matches against each other, both sides will also use the series to find a settled playing XI ahead of the T20 World Cup that is slated to take place in Australia in October-November this year.

Talking about India, their batting department looks good. Meanwhile, their bowling is also more or less settled. It is certainly the pick between wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik that will be the biggest dilemma for the selectors.

The team management has given Karthik fair attention in the recent past but the lack of batting opportunities has kept the player's form still in doubt.

cricket Australia Cricket Team Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Australia India Hyderabad

India lost the final T20I to South Africa in Indore on Tuesday by a big margin but Rohit Sharma's team won the series 2-1 and are going into the T20 World Cup on the back of twin victories over the Proteas and reigning champions Australia. India is far from a settled bunch as they have several chinks in their armour but the group is an upbeat one under Rohit's leadership.

India Predicted XI vs South Africa, 3rd T20I: Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj To Get A Game?

With an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series, the Indian cricket team has the opportunity to test a few reserves in the third and final match at Indore's Holkar Stadium. The batting unit has come out all guns blazing in the two matches so far, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge. The bowling unit, on the other hand, has left plenty to be desired. With the fate of the series sealed, one or two changes can be expected. Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj remain two players who would be eager to be given an opportunity.

Watch: Dinesh Karthik Takes Juggling Catch After Third Attempt In 2nd T20I vs South Africa

India clinched yet another series at home after beating South Africa by 16 runs in the second T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The hosts took an unassailble 2-0 lead in the series, with the final game scheduled to take place on Tuesday. After posting a total of 237 for three in 20 overs, India held their nerves to seal their first white-ball series win over the Proteas, despite David Miller's unbeaten century. South Africa's top-order continued to struggle as captain Temba Bavuma and Rilee Rossouw were both dismissed on ducks.

Watch: Virat Kohli, Batting On 49, Asks Dinesh Karthik To Keep Strike For Last 2 Balls

Virat Kohli is one of the most prolific run-scorers and has broken several records in a glittering career so far. With 71 international centuries, he is tied with Ricky Ponting and only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar has more. However, he has always maintained that he does not care much for individual milestones and is more interested in doing what is best for the team. And he put that selflessness on display when he gave up an opportunity to score a half-century against South Africa in the second T20I so India could maximise their score.

India vs South Africa, India Predicted XI: Will Rohit Sharma's Team Continue With Both Rishabh Pant And Dinesh Karthik In Playing XI?

India and South Africa will be squaring off in the second T20I of the three-match series at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday. The Rohit Sharma-led side is 1-0 ahead in the series as it had won the first game by 8 wickets in Thiruvananthapuram. Hence, the second T20I is a must-win game for the Proteas if they have to stay alive in the series. Meanwhile, India will also be eager to register another win and seal yet another series -- their last T20I affair ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Watch: Virat Kohli On Video Call With Anushka Sharma, Shows Phone To Cheering Fans After Win In 1st T20I vs SA

Team India registered a memorable 8-wicket win against South Africa in the 1st T20I on Wednesday at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. With this win, the Rohit Sharma-led side has gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Put to bat first, South Africa was restricted at 106/8, to the courtesy of the three-wicket and two-wicket haul by Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar, respectively. In the chase, KL Rahul (51*) and Suryakumar Yadav (50*) smashed half centuries as Team India chased down the target in 16.4 overs and with eight wickets in hands.