India's predicted playing XI for the 4th T20I vs South Africa | November 15, 2024
The fourth and final game of the India vs South Africa T20I series will take place in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15. The Men in Blue currently hold a 2-1 lead in the series.
India would usually look to rest and rotate in the final game of a bilateral series, but they haven't secured the trophy yet. While the visitors might be keen on trying out a couple of fresh faces, spots in the playing XI are rather limited.
India’s squad for 4 T20Is against South Africa: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.
On that note, here is India's predicted playing XI for the fourth T20I against South Africa.
Openers: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk)
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have endured contrasting fortunes in the series thus far. While the former failed in his first two innings before notching up a half-century in the last game, the latter smashed a ton to kick off his series before bagging consecutive ducks. Both players will want to end the assignment on a high.
Middle order: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh
Captain Suryakumar Yadav has been off-color in the series so far, and his form will be one to keep an eye on. He will be accompanied by Tilak Varma, who hammered a century in Centurion.
Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, and Ramandeep Singh will make up the rest of the middle order. While this would leave the bowling options looking thin again, it's hard to see any other approach that will work for the Men in Blue. Rinku, who has had a rough period in T20Is lately, will want to turn that around.
Jitesh Sharma, who is in the squad as a backup wicket-keeper, might not get a chance to impress. Ramandeep looked bright in his short cameo in the third T20I and will certainly hold on to his place in the side.
Lower order: Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal, Varun Chakaravarthy
Arshdeep Singh could be rested for the final game of the series, having played all three so far. He could be replaced by Avesh Khan, who Suryakumar stated has done well for the team.
Vyshak Vijaykumar and Yash Dayal are waiting for their maiden international caps, and the latter could get it on Friday. India are likely to need an extra pace option in Johannesburg, and the left-armer slotting in for Ravi Bishnoi is a move that makes a lot of sense.
However, it's hard to say what will influence selection in the bowling department.