After the 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I, criticism from the Indian fans has shot over the roof. It has nothing to do with this particular series, given that it is still 1-1 with three games to spare. However, the big worry is that India haven't been able to lock their best starting XI yet, with the T20 World Cup just two months away.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav said prior to the start of the ongoing South Africa series that India have a strong idea of what their first XI would look like. However, his own disastrous form has been one of the major concerns for the team - Yadav doesn't have a single fifty from 17 innings and has a poor strike-rate of 126.41, a massive decline from his overall strike rate of 163.96 in the shortest format.
Yadav only averages 14.35 with the bat this year but given the impact he has provided for India over the years, the captain deserves the leap of faith before a World Cup, especially when India are one of the major hosts of the tournament. However, he himself will know that a bare minimum of two big scores are a must before the World Cup kicks-off.
The bigger problem, however, is regarding two other factors. The first of those is the much-debated opening partner for Abhishek Sharma. It is well-documented that Shubman Gill is the management's first-choice and his elevation to vice-captaincy appears as a desperate move to ensure that he becomes an automatic selection in the XI.
However, like his captain, Gill too doesn't have a single fifty in his last 17 T20I innings. What's more, his overall T20I numbers are also very lukewarm, especially with a red-hot Sanju Samson who averages 32 and strikes at 179 at the top of the order. In comparison, Gill only averages 28 and his strike rate at the top is only 140.
With Samson smashing three centuries in 2024 alone, the Kerala batter is India's best option to open the batting with Sharma, even if the duo's ultra-aggressive methods from both ends could be a high risk move. India have experimented a lot with the no.3 spot but Yadav seems the best bet for that position with Tilak Varma the ideal no.4 behind the skipper. These two could swap around if matchups dictate the need.
Hardik Pandya's return means that one all-rounder is sorted and Jitesh Sharma as the wicket-keeper finisher adds a different dimension to things. India, though, surprisingly left out Rinku Singh who deserves to be in the squad at least, if not in the starting XI. The Uttar Pradesh batter, though, hasn't been in the best of nick recently.
One of Shivam Dube and Axar Patel completes the all-rounder set for India but the use of the CSK star is tricky, especially since his game is more suited to take on spin than pace. Ideally, it is a spot that Rinku could have taken with the left-handedness but Dube and Axar's ability to bowl is what is giving them the edge, particularly on the flat pitches of India.
If Hardik and Dube are both playing, India also have the option to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy. This leaves them with Jasprit Bumrah as one of the pacers but who supports him is still a concern. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh can both provide wickets but have been very expensive too.
If Axar and Dube both play, like we are seeing now, it means that Kuldeep might have to sit out and would hamper India's wicket-taking prowess in a big way. With Samson at the top, India also have the option to play Axar in place of Jitesh on proper spinning tracks but on most pitches, the RCB star should start due to his finishing ability.
Best XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana/Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.