IND vs SA: Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya Have A Major Point To Prove – Mohammad Kaif

Former Indian player Mohammad Kaif reckoned Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and all-rounder Hardik Pandya will have a litmus test in the South Africa T20Is.

On the eve of the five-match T20I series opener, India suffered twin blows as opener KL Rahul and spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav were ruled out due to injuries.

Rahul was initially named captain of the 18-member squad in regular skipper Rohit Sharma’s absence. However, the Karnataka player suffered a right groin injury before the series could kick-off.

Kuldeep was also injured while batting in a training session. Pant, who was appointed Rahul’s deputy for the five-match series, was elevated in the captain’s role with Hardik as his deputy.

Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya have a major point to prove: Mohammad Kaif

Hardik led Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title in their first season, scoring 487 runs with the bat and returning eight wickets with the ball in IPL 2022.

Chahal, who was snubbed from India’s T20 World Cup squad last year, ended as the leading wicket-taker of IPL 2022. The Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner picked 27 wickets in 17 games at an economy rate of 7.75.

Kaif said Chahal and Hardik will have major points to prove in the five T20Is against the Proteas.

“Yuzvendra Chahal has a major point to prove. The same goes for Hardik Pandya too, as it is going to be his comeback series. It also remains to be seen whether he is going to bowl or not,” Kaif told Sportskeeda.

India is unlikely to play three leg-spinners together: Mohammad Kaif

Apart from Chahal, India also has the services of Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel in the spin department.

Kaif believes India won’t field three spinners in their playing XI. The former Indian player said Bishnoi, who has picked four wickets in as many T20I matches for India, is likely to start in the first T20I.

“India have got Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel in the squad. But the question is, how will you play three leg spinners in the starting XI? Ravi Bishnoi did well in his debut series, so it becomes difficult to leave him out. But looking at the balance of the squad, a side is unlikely to go with three leg spinners,” Kaif said.

India plays South Africa in the first of the five T20 Internationals on Thursday (June 9) at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi.

Also Read: IND vs SA: There Will Be A Lot Of Changes The Way We Play Cricket – Rishabh Pant