10 T20s to go, Team India enters ‘home stretch’ of T20 World Cup preparation with IND vs SA T20I series

The Shubman Gill problem

As long as Shubman Gill was busy in red-ball cricket, the Indian T20 team looked ready. But Gill returned to the fold not only as an opener but also as a vice-captain, which gives him immunity from being dropped. His inclusion, which some still consider unnecessary, forced the team management to remove Sanju Samson from the top spot. The only place Samson has now is in the middle order or as a finisher. Samson isn’t comfortable with it either.

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provided a strong and blazing start for India. With the matches in India and on flats during the T20 World Cup, this first pair would have been a success. But now, in Gill, India has a batter who doesn’t give blazing starts. Instead, he can hit deep to finish games. And being certain to play, Samson will have to familiarize himself with the new spot.

However, unlike Gill, Samson lacks clarity in his role. Since Gill’s return to the Asia Cup, Samson has batted at 3, 5 and been listed at 8. In Australia, he was dropped for Jitesh Sharma after just one innings. But maybe Samson isn’t to blame. This is the combination that has often dictated the terms. Gambhir and Suryakumar have said in public that apart from the openers, no one has a stable batting position. They require flexibility, which Samson may not be able to provide.

Jitesh Sharma or Sanju Samson?

The five IND vs SA T20I matches could be a hint of things to come. This will be the full-fledged Indian T20I team, barring one place. The wicketkeeper spot is a play-off between Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. If Jitesh wins the first three matches, he could very well be India’s keeper of the T20 World Cup if he shines as a finisher. In three innings Jitesh came to Australia, he scored 0 for 2, 22 for 13 and 3 for 4. These 22 for 13 came at no.7. Now, if Jitesh continues to finish games well, at least in two matches, Samson will have to extend his stay on the bench.

For Sanju Samson to return to the Playing XI and cement his place for the T20 World Cup, he needs to grab every chance he gets. In his new role, Samson has struck five times, averaging 26.80. But his strike rate has fallen to 121.81. This is not ideal when the role is simply striking and not anchoring. If Samson gets playing time in the IND vs SA T20 series, his task will be to play as a finisher. However, he did not prepare for this role in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He opened all of Kerala’s matches, averaging 58.25 and scoring 137.86. Samson also had four 40+ scores and two half-centuries.

Shivam Dubé or Washington Sundar?

With the return of Hardik Pandya, India has regained balance. Hardik can replace the second pacer and can also score some quick runs as a no.6 or no.7. In this setup, the choice of pitch will dictate who the other all-rounder will be, as Axar Patel has already proven his mettle.

Shivam Dube could get the job done if the surface is slow. On high scoring pitches it would be best to back a specialist bowler. However, given how Gambhir is obsessed with all-rounders, this will be doubtful. Washington Sundar has been a part-time bowler in T20s. Therefore, India may not accompany him on high-level ground. Instead, Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana could step in.

Indian squad for IND vs SA T20 series

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar