India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I: Test of Rishabh Pant's captaincy as India plot comeback versus South Africa

Rishabh Pant will expect an improved showing from the India bowlers as he plots a comeback against a marauding South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series on Sunday. Leading India for the first time ever, Pant had to swallow a bitter pill when David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen shot down an imposing 212 with utmost nonchalance to go up 1-0 in the series. The southpaw also had a forgettable Indian Premier League where he failed to lead Delhi Capitals to the playoffs.

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The Indian team is thinking of veering away from its conservative approach to T20 batting. The T20 World Cup is barely five months away. And Ishan Kishan has become the face of the ultra-aggressive brand of batting that India aspires to play in the World Cup. Ishan has to set the tempo up front for

Seen as a future white-ball captain, Pant's stakes have suddenly come down post-IPL and that has coincided with the resurgence of Hardik Pandya. Returning to full fitness, the pace bowling all-rounder took the IPL by storm not only by his form but by pulling off a coup as he led Gujarat Titans to the title in their debut season. Amid the growing chorus of 'Hardik Pandya -- the next white-ball captain of India', Pant will be under scrutiny again as he masterminds a comeback. It may still be early days for Pant the leader, but his body language never stood out and he looked under pressure on his captaincy debut.

Read AlsoIndia vs South Africa: India, South Africa teams reach Odisha for 2nd T20I

Players of the Indian and South African cricket teams reached Odisha on Friday amid tight security ahead of their T20I game at the Barabati Stadium in