IND vs SA: 5 Indian Players Who Might Be Benched Throughout The Series

The IND vs SA series starts within 10 days of the completion of IPL 2022 as India returns to play international cricket. The Indian team have tough games to play in the second half of the year and that starts with the five-match T20I series against South Africa at home.

The T20I series is actually a continuation of the rivalry that started last year in South Africa. India lost the Test and the ODI series in South Africa. The Proteas are now returning to play the T20I leg in India.

The series will also be a good preparatory drill for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia. The BCCI has announced an 18-member squad that has all the T20I specialists of the Indian team. The squad is without a few senior Indian players who have been rested. This also gives an opportunity to the youngsters in the team to showcase their talent.

However, with a well-rounded, it might not be possible for all the players to play all the five matches of the series. In this article, we take a look at five players who might be benched throughout the series.

IND vs SA: 5 Indian Players Who Might Be Benched Throughout The Series

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Gaikwad might not be the first-choice opener alongside KL Rahul with Ishan Kishan part of the squad. Both Kishan and Gaikwad did not have the best of IPL seasons this year. The southpaw ended with 418 runs while the right-hander scored 368 runs. Previously also someone else has been preferred over the young 25-year-old. Something similar might happen this time as well.

Also Read: IND vs SA: India’s Playing XI For The 1st T20I (Predicted)

Venkatesh Iyer

The KKR opener endured a disappointing IPL season in 2022 scoring just 282 runs in 12 matches for the Knight Riders. With Hardik Pandya back in the squad, he will be picked ahead of the left-handed all-rounder. Iyer was also seen as a substitute for Hardik till he was injured and not bowling. With the premier all-rounder back in full flow and bowling, Venkatesh might see himself sitting on the sidelines.

Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda had a fabulous season batting at number three for Lucknow Super Giants. He has scored over 400 runs so far in the season. However, in the Indian T20I squad, Shreyas Iyer has taken over Virat Kohli and settled himself at the number three spot in his absence. He scored three consecutive fifties against Sri Lanka to all the more cement his position in the line-up. Given that all the other slots seem to be filled up, the former Baroda all-rounder might also be benched throughout the series.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel in many ways was a surprise inclusion in India’s T20I squad against South Africa. He picked only six wickets in this year’s IPL and did not score too many runs with the bat. With India bringing back the Kuldeep-Chahal pair back, there is a lesser chance of Patel being given all the games with Ravi Bishnoi as the third spinning option.

Avesh Khan / Harshal Patel

One among Patel or Avesh Might be benched for a few games if not all when India takes on South Africa. The games will be played in five different venues with different conditions. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to play all the games along with Umran Malik due to his pace. The rest of the three pacers including Avesh, Harshal and Arshdeep might not get to play all the games in the series.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Daryl Mitchell Leaves Rajasthan Royals Squad To Join New Zealand Squad For England Tests