India vs South Africa: South Africa’s Predicted Playing XI Against India, 5th T20I

South Africa are looking to upset India as they take on each other in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Sunday. The series is level at 2-2 after India won the third and the fourth T20I in grad fashion to make a comeback in the series. This is a crucial series for both teams in terms of their preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year.

The Proteas are chasing history in Bengaluru as they look to keep their unbeaten streak against India across formats intact. They also have an upper hand in T20Is against India in India. In eight games, they have won five and lost just three, two of which came in this series alone.

The side is struggling with injury concerns. After Aiden Markram is ruled out of the series, they are likely to have Temba Bavuma unavailable in the decider due to an injury on his left hand. He could not bat for the rest of the game after getting hit. Kagiso Rabada missed the fourth T20I due to an injury, there is no update on him yet. Lungi Ngidi who played his first game of the series in the last game took a blow on his left ankle. Amid the injury crisis, they need to pick their best XI and give a shot at winning the series.

India vs South Africa: South Africa’s Predicted Playing XI Against India, 5th T20I

Temba Bavuma / Reeza Hendricks

In case Bavuma is not fit to play the final T20I, Reeza Hendricks will come in place of him and open the batting along with Quinton De Kock.

Also Read: IND vs SA Head to Head Records, India’s Head to Head Records vs South Africa– South Africa Tour of India 2022, 5th T20I

Quinton de Kock (C/WK)

In Bavuma’s absence, Quinton de Kock might be given the role of captaincy. He will need to bat well and also take decisions as captain.

Dwaine Pretorius

Pretorius has been promoted to batting at number three throughout the series. He is expected to bat at that position in the final game as well. He scored a duck in the fourth T20I.

Rassie van der Dussen

The middle-order of Dussen, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen has been the real strength of South Africa and all of them need to fire in the final game

David Miller

Miller fell cheaply in the two games that South Africa lost. He scored nine and was dismissed by Harshal Patel. He needs to raise his game in the final T20I.

Heinrich Klaasen

Klaasen has also scored two low scores since his 81 in the third T20I against India. South Africa needs his firepower in the lower middle order both while batting first or chasing. So far, chasing has been their way to go in the series.

Marco Jansen

The left-arm pacer played his first game of the series in the fourth game. He hit the biggest six of the series in the last game and also took a wicket. He should retain his place in the XI for the final game in Bengaluru.

Keshav Maharaj

Maharaj has picked four wickets from four matches so far. He has dismissed Rishabh Pant twice in the series. He has also bowled better among the two spinners.

Kagiso Rabada

If Rabada makes a comeback, Shamsi might need to sit out. South Africa needs their premier pacer fit for this final game. The short dimensions of the Chinnaswamy might make the management play three pacers.

Lungi Ngidi

Ngidi took a blow on his left-ankle and is expected to be fit for the final game. He picked up 2 for 20 in three overs in the fourth T20I. He will be the third pacer in the playing XI along with Rabada and Nortje.

Anrich Nortje

Nortje concludes South Africa’s predicted playing XI for the fifth T20I in Bengaluru. Keeping in mind their injury concerns this seems to their strongest playing XI for the final.

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