India’s batting lineup faces a crucial test in the third T20I against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Wednesday, November 12, 2024. The team needs to regain its mojo after a disappointing performance in the second match, where they were restricted to 124 for six.
The unfamiliarity of the venue, where India has played only one T20I in the past, adds to the challenge. The pitch is expected to be similar to the one at Gqeberha, which was quick and bouncy. This poses a significant hurdle for India’s batters, who struggled against South Africa’s pacers in the previous match.
Abhishek Sharma, who has been in poor form, is under pressure to deliver. The team may consider giving Tilak Varma a chance to partner Sanju Samson at the top and bringing in Ramandeep Singh to add more power to the middle order.
Senior batters like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh also need to step up. Yadav and Rinku have shown glimpses of their prowess, while Pandya’s slow start in the second match was a concern.
The pace attack, led by Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan, will be eager to make amends after a contrasting performance in the second game. Arshdeep’s economy rate of 41 in the second match was a setback, while Khan’s 28-ball struggle to find his first boundary raised questions about his form.
However, the efforts of Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi in the previous match have been outstanding. The spinners will be looking to continue their good form and give India an advantage.
South Africa, too, faces batting issues. Senior players like Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen are yet to fire in the series. The Proteas will need their veterans to contribute more, especially against India’s spinners.
