India vs South Africa 2019: 1st T20I - India's Predicted Playing XI

India will begin their long home season with the three-match T20I series against South Africa. The first of the three games will take place in Dharamsala on September 15 (Sunday). Who all can make it to India’s playing XI?

The Men in Blues produced a dominating effort against West Indies registering a whitewash over them. The players backed each other and it was a complete effort from the players despite making young cricketers in the team.

Hardik Pandya has made a return to the squad while the selectors have decided to give a break to Jasprit Bumrah. Virat Kohli and the management will hope to try to some more new options as they look to settle their combinations ahead of the World T20 next year in Australia.

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Here is the predicted playing XI of India for the first of three-match T20I series against South Africa in Dharamsala on September 15 (Sunday):

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Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan struggled to put runs on the board in the West Indies series. But he looked in right touch during India A’s unofficial ODIs against South Africa A.

The southpaw will hope to keep up the good work against South Africa as the home side will be keen to take an early lead in the series. Dhawan will have to put up a good stand alongside Rohit Sharma to set the tone for the batsmen to follow.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been in swashbuckling form since the World Cup and has given the bowlers hard time. He will be keen to start the long home season on a perfect note and get his scoring shoes on against South Africa.

Team India management will also look forward to Rohit to provide a good start and set the platform for the batsmen to follow.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been India’s main man with the bat across formats. He had average outings against West Indies and will hope to make it up in the series against South Africa.

The India skipper will also want to set their priorities early into this long home season. Kohli will have to be at his best with the bat if the host has to take an early lead in the three-match series.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer showed his abilities in the ODIs against West Indies. The Mumbai-born cricketer has shown that he can score quick runs and at the same time rotate the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.

The management will be keen to give him an opportunity in the shorter format in place of Manish Pandey, who had poor returns in the last series. Iyer will look to grab the chance with both hands and cement his place in the T20Is as well.

Rishabh Pant

The young wicket-keeper batsman has struggled for consistency in the limited-overs. More so, Rishabh Pant has failed to show the maturity required to find success in the international circuit.

The Delhi-born cricketer needs to make these opportunities count to retain his spot in the playing XI. Pant needs to focus more on his game and put runs on the board with many deserving candidates sitting on the wings.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya took a break after the World Cup as he nursed a few niggles sustained during the World Cup. The all-rounder will be fresh and will hope to make contributions as India will be desperate to take a 1-0 lead in Dharamsala.

The Baroda all-rounder has been in fine touch in this year and will hope to make his presence count against South Africa with both bat and ball.

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Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya has impressed in whatever limited opportunities that have come his way. He has been successful with both bat and ball and did a good job in the Caribbean Islands.

The all-rounder will have to continue his good work as he is aware that one bad game and he can lose his place with many talented cricketers waiting on the wings.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has made his presence in the playing XI count with his all-round abilities every time he has gone onto the field across formats. He was effective in India’s recent outing against West Indies.

The all-rounder will hope to keep up his excellent form against South Africa and help his side take an early lead in the three-match series.

Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar has grown from strength to strength as a powerplay bowler in the shortest format of the game. The all-rounder has provided breakthroughs with the new ball and is a utility cricketer.

Beside, Sundar can chip in with the bat as well which will provide more depth in India’s batting order.

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Deepak Chahar

Since making the headlines for his stint with the Chennai Super Kings, Deepak Chahar has been one of the best in the country with the new ball in hand. He can swing it both ways looked in good form in the last T20I series against West Indies.

Chahar will hope to keep up his form and exploit the new ball to provide early jolts to the visiting team in the first T20I in Dharamsala.

Khaleel Ahmed

The young left-arm fast bowler has shown his capabilities with the ball after making his debut in international cricket. However, Khaleel Ahmed has struggled for consistency which has challenged his place in the playing XI.

Khaleel will hope to be at his best and put the best feet forward against the Proteas to cement his place in the playing XI at least in the shorter formats of the game.

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