India vs South Africa 2022: 1st T20 Predicted Playing 11 for Both

Hardik Pandya rested as we look at the predicted playing 11 for the 2022 India vs South Africa 1st T20. 

After a successful T20 series vs Australia where India won 2-1, the focus now shifts to the last International assignment for India before the T20 World Cup 2022. The upcoming 3-match T20 Series vs South Africa would be the last opportunity for the team to play to full strength or experiment in lieu of the T20 World Cup. 

Unlike Australia, where we saw a B team facing the Indian team, the South Africa series will see a full-fledged South African team playing the Indian team. However, India won’t be playing a full-strength series as two key players are rested for the series. But that also gives an opportunity to other strong backups in the squad.

The 3-match South Africa series begins on September 28 with the second match being played on October 2nd and 3rd match on October 4th. So, with a few changes expected in the squad, let’s look at the best predicted playing 11 for 2022 India vs South Africa 1st T20. Before that let’s look at the key stats and official squad for India.

India vs South Africa 2022: Official T20 Series Squad for Team India: 

Batters: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

Wks: Dinesh Karthik & Rishabh Pant

All-rounders: Axar Patel & Ravichandran Ashwin

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coach: Rahul Dravid // Captain: Rohit Sharma 

India vs South Africa Key T20 Stats 

Matches Played: 20 // India Won: 11 // South Africa Won: 8 // NR: 1

Batting:

362 – Most Runs by Rohit Sharma 

121 – Highest Batting Average by Manish Pandey (Min 100 Runs)

166.7 – Highest Strike Rate by Heinrich Klaasen (Min 100 Runs)

41 – Most Fours hit by Rohit Sharma

16 – Most Sixes hit by JP Duminy 

106(66) – Highest Score by Rohit Sharma

230 // 69*(30) –  Highest Strike Rate in an Innings by Heinrich Klaasen (Min 50 Runs)

Bowling:

14 – Most Wickets by Bhuvneshwar Kumar 

6.8 – Best Bowling Average by RP Singh (Min 5 Wickets)

5.7 – Lowest Economy Rate RP Singh (Min 5 Wickets)

7.2 – Best Bowling Strike Rate by RP Singh (Min 5 Wickets)

5/24 – Best Bowling Figures by Bhuvneshwar Kumar 

1.5 // (2-0-3-1) – Best Economy Rate in an Innings by Harshal Patel 

Others:

14 – Most Matches Played by David Miller

165 Runs 5 Wickets – Best All-rounder Stats by Hardik Pandya

219/4 – Highest Team Total by South Africa

5 – Most Dismissals by MS Dhoni 

9 – Most Catches by Suresh Raina

138 (2nd Wicket) – Highest Partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli 

Team India’s Playing 11

The main question for the Indian team would be the replacement for Hardik Pandya in the batters category. Hardik has been rested for the series. To replace him, India would have ideally selected another batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda. Unfortunately, Hooda is ruled out of the T20 Series due to injury. 

So, the only option that India are left with is to play only 5 bowlers with an extra batter replacing Hardik. From the squad, Rishabh Pant seems the best bet to replace Hardik. Not only does this give an opportunity for Rishabh Pant to cement his place in the Indian team but also a strong attacking left-hander in the middle order.

Apart from Hardik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is being rested as well. But the good thing is the return of Arshdeep Singh, who was rested for the T20 Series vs Australia. So, as a like-for-like replacement, Arshdeep Singh should replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the final playing 11. India can think of giving more game time to Ravichandran Ashwin. If that happens, Yuzvendra Chahal could be left out.

India vs South Africa 2022 – 1st T20 Predicted Playing 11 for Team India: 

Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh & Yuzvendra Chahal

For South Africa, the playing 11 seems to be their strongest on paper for the Indian conditions. They could go with A combination of 3 pacers and 3 spinners. So, expect Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi to play together. If they don’t, Lungi Ngidi could be selected above Keshav. 

India vs South Africa 2022 – 1st T20 Predicted Playing 11 for South Africa

Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Rille Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristian Stubbs, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje & Tabraiz Shamsi 

So, that’s about the strongest predicted playing 11 for the 2022 India vs South Africa 1st T20. For India, the discussion for the first-choice playing 11 should mostly revolve around whether to play 6 batters or 6 bowlers. Whereas for South Africa, it would be around selecting 4 pacers vs 3 pacers. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Team India for the 2022 1st T20 vs South Africa? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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ALSO READ: India Team’s Official Squad Players List for T20 World Cup 2022

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