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India take on South Africa, WC combination on mind
K. L. Rahul, who was supposed to lead the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, suffered a groin injury which has now ruled him out of the entire series.
New Delhi, June 8: A new-look Indian top-order will like to show more intent even as Rishabh Pant gets ready to add a new leaf to his already happening career, this time as national team captain in the five-match T20 International series against South Africa, starting here on Thursday.
K.L. Rahul, who was supposed to lead the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, suffered a groin injury which has now ruled him out of the entire series.
For Pant, leading the team to a victory in the opening game would make him and his team part of a world record of 13 successive T20I victories.
Rahul’s sudden absence will pave the way for Ruturaj Gaikwad to replicate his Chennai Super Kings form in the national jersey.
But more importantly, with Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, India will have a new look top three which will also give coach Rahul Dravid a chance to check some permutation and combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup.
For Pant, who has been termed as one of the potential future India captains, this is a God-sent opportunity to prove his leadership credentials in the shortest format.
However, for head coach Dravid, the primary aim over the next 10 days will be identifying some of the core group players for specific slots.
And, he couldn’t have hoped for a better opposition than a gritty South African side which has seen its stock rise rapidly recently.
Rahul’s absence gives Kishan a chance to showcase his consistency at the
top which was missing during his recently concluded IPL campaign for Mumbai Indians.
India currently face problems aplenty and that is about having too many players for each batting slot but the team management is yet to put a finger on the perfect combination.
Shreyas Iyer, who was terrific at No. 3 against Sri Lanka in February, could hold on to the spot, in the absence of the injured Suryakumar Yadav. Deepak Hooda, who has
been in fine form, could also be given a chance since his impressive batting in the same position for Lucknow Super Giants.
Pant is expected to come in at No.4 with his new deputy Hardik Pandya at No. 5 and it will be a toss up between young Hooda and comeback man Dinesh Karthik for the No. 6 spot in the line-up.
While Pant will be keen to rediscover his touch, it is to be seen if Karthik,
who dazzled in the role of a finisher for RCB, can replicate his IPL form with the national side and stay in contention for a World Cup spot if given a chance.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead the pace attack alongside death overs specialist Harshal Patel and both would hope to prove their prowess given that only Jasprit Bumrah is a sure-shot pick for the World Cup among the fast bowlers.