As the T20 World Cup approaches, India is entering a critical preparation phase. After a successful run against Australia, they start a three-game T20I series against South Africa today. The team is heavily focused on refining their death bowling, which captain Rohit Sharma has identified as the only significant gap in their current game plan.
It is time for the T20 World Cup countdown. After winning the T20I series against Australia, Team India will cross swords with South Africa in a three-match T20I series starting today. Team India’s lot of focus will be on their death bowling. Men in blue will be looking to round off their T20 World Cup preparation with the desired improvement in their death bowling. India skipper Rohit Sharma recently admitted that death bowling is the only area that requires improvement.
The first match of the three-game set takes place in Trivandrum, featuring Rohit Sharma's India against Temba Bavuma's South Africa. Unfortunately, the Indian squad will be missing a few vital players.
Mohammed Shami, despite being named in the squad, hasn't fully bounced back from Covid and is therefore sidelined for the entire series. Similarly, Deepak Hooda is unavailable for the Proteas series due to back spasms he picked up just before the deciding match against Australia.
Umesh Yadav is slated to cover for Shami, and top-order player Shreyas Iyer is the likely replacement for Hooda. However, there's still uncertainty regarding Umesh's spot in the starting XI. Furthermore, with Hardik Pandya being rested for these three games, Shahbaz Ahmed is expected to join the squad.
According to a high-ranking BCCI official, Shami requires more recovery time following his Covid infection and cannot participate in the series. When questioned about Shahbaz Ahmed replacing Pandya, the source noted the lack of available seam-bowling all-rounders. They mentioned that Raj Bawa is still too inexperienced and is currently with India A to gain the necessary exposure before stepping up to the senior level.
With Hooda also unavailable, selectors likely opted for a batting all-rounder to maintain balance. The 27-year-old Shahbaz fits this role and offers left-arm spin, though the primary spin duties remain with Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel. Shahbaz serves as essential cover in a grueling schedule of six T20Is in ten days. There is also a possibility that the management brings back Rishabh Pant and experiments with a five-bowler lineup.