IND vs SA: 5 batsmen who can make great impact in T20I series
South Africa will tour India for the T20I series with some major changes in their setup. After the debacle at the World Cup, many new faces have emerged. Many of the experienced heads are now gone. They have either retired or have been phased out. The onus will now be on the new players to step up and make a mark in international cricket. The players who already have been a part of the setup, especially the batsmen will have a big role to play in the series.
The Indian batsmen too will see this series as an opportunity to make a mark against some inexperienced South African bowlers. With the matches scheduled to take place in Dharamshala, Mohali and Bangalore, all considered to be good batting surfaces, the batsmen will surely look to make merry.
Here we take a look at 5 batsmen from both sides who will aim to have an impactful series:
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma will be keen to have a big T20I series to further stake his claim in the Test side. He already is one of the most dangerous players around in the shortest format and his impact is undeniable. Sharma over the years has enjoyed a fantastic record against the Proteas in the T20 format. Playing 11 matches, he has scored 341 runs at an average of 37.88 and a strike-rate of 136. He also has a century and two half-centuries against South Africa. The Proteas are a team who Rohit clearly fancies.
Quinton de Kock
Heading into the series, Quinton de Kock will be one of the veterans of the squad and will have the additional responsibility of leading the side. The South African board is in search of new leaders and de Kock is one of the candidates. Surprisingly, de Kock has only played one T20I against India in 2014, which wasn’t a successful outing for him. But overall, he remains a big impact player at the top of the order. He has played 36 T20Is, scoring 887 runs at a strike-rate of 127.07 with 2 half-centuries. It will be interesting to see whether de Kock alters his batting approach with the burden of captaincy on his shoulders.
Manish Pandey
The upcoming series could have major repercussions for the career of Manish Pandey. He did not impress in the T20I series in the Caribbean. But in a major show of faith, the selectors have again given him an opportunity for the series against the Proteas. Pandey over the years has enjoyed an excellent record against the South Africans. Playing 3 matches, he has scored 121 runs at an average of 121.00 with a strike-rate of 142.35 and a best score of 79*. With the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill hot on his heels, it could well be a do-or-die series for the Karnataka batter.
David Miller
David Miller’s career so far has been a one of unfulfilled potential. Heralded as the next great finisher in international cricket, he has more often than not, flattered to deceive. With many of the old guards gone, Miller has become a veteran figure in the squad. Possessing insane striking abilities, Miller will aim to better his record against India. Having played 7 matches, he has only managed to score 81 runs with a highest score of 24. Overall, Miller has played 70 matches in his career, scoring 1291 runs at a strike-rate 140.32 with a single century.
Virat Kohli
When it comes to big occasions, the Indian skipper always delivers. Kohli will be hurting from his failure to convert starts into big scores during the West Indies Test series. Against the Proteas, he will again embark upon a journey to satiate his hunger for runs. Kohli has a below-par record, considering his own lofty standards against the South Africans. He has scored 173 runs in 8 matches, at an average of 28.83 and a highest score of 72*. Overall, he has an exceptional record in T20I cricket, scoring 2369 runs in 70 matches at an average of 49.35.
