India Unlikely To Make A Change In Playing XI For 4th T20I vs South Africa

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa is expected to be a cracker of a game as the hosts will look to keep themselves alive in the series while the visitors will look to seal the series in this game only. 

After being 2-0 down in the first two games, India made a comeback in the 3rd T20I. An interesting thing about the Indian team in this series is they played the same team in all three games. 

It was the best possible combination India could have played before the first match and three matches later as well. This combination has every base covered where India has stability in the batting lineup, firepower at the backend, and bowling departments covering all phases. 

One of the brilliant things that the Rahul Dravid-led management did was to keep the same combination despite the losses since they knew with the current squad, it was the best playing XI they could have made. 

Everyone has contributed and played the roles they were asked to do. Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad have given some good starts while Shreyas Iyer has anchored playing at number three. 

Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Dinesh Karthik have been asked to play the aggressive roles while Axar Patel and Harshal Patel bring in batting depth. The batters have had decent returns, considering they have been asked to bat first in all three games. 

Coming to the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been sensational in this series, picking six wickets at an average of 12.83, a strike rate of 12, and having an economy of 6.41. Harshal Patel too has picked six wickets while bowling at an economy of 8.36. Yuzvendra Chahal had too off games but came back brilliantly in the 3rd game. 

Should Avesh Khan Play?

Several questions have been raised about the selection of Avesh Khan. The likes of Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik warming the bench and Avesh Khan not being able to pick wickets have raised a few eyebrows on the outside but the Indian camp knows what value the fast bowler brings. 

Avesh is a hit-the-deck bowler, who bowls at a decent pace close to 140 and also has good control with the new ball. They know what Avesh can do and the role for him is pretty clear - bowl in the powerplay and middle overs. 

In these three games, Avesh has bowled 24 balls inside the powerplay and conceded 34 runs including seven fours. However, Avesh has bowled 14 dots in this stage. In the 36 balls he bowled in the middle overs, Avesh has conceded 42 runs and 15 dot balls. 

Overall Avesh has bowled 66 balls and 30 of them have been dots - third-most in this series among bowlers who have bowled more than ten overs. He has the fourth-best economy rate of the series - 7.90. Even though Avesh hasn't picked wickets, he has given control from one end. 

With Avesh in the playing XI, the Indian seam bowlers - Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Avesh Khan - have the roles very nicely divided so that they cover every phase. 

• Bhuvneshwar - Powerplay plus Death Overs 
• Avesh - Powerplay plus Middle Overs 
• Harshal - Middle plus Death Overs 

Now, having Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik doesn't mean India has to play them. They need to be built for the roles they are expected to do. Arshdeep has done well as a powerplay plus death overs bowler while Umran is an out-and-out middle over the bowler. 

Arshdeep and Umran are being trained in the Indian nets to grow themselves in different roles and unless the management is confident watching them, they are unlikely to get a game. If any of Bhuvneshwar, Avesh, or Harshal get injured only then someone from Arshdeep or Umran will get to play depending on the role. 

Axar Patel or Deepak Hooda? 

Axar Patel has had an off series so far where he neither picked wickets nor managed to control the scoring rate and even in the batting, he hasn't dominated. However, as mentioned earlier, India has faced tough conditions in these three games - batting first. 

The spinners haven't really enjoyed the best of the conditions. At 9.66, Axar's economy is still the second-best among four spinners across the two teams. 

Even though Deepak Hooda offers a solid batting option, India still needs a good fifth bowler and Axar promises to be better than Hooda in that aspect. 

Also Read: Scorecard

India's Probable Playing XI for 4th T20I: Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal