As India and South Africa gear up for the 3rd T20I in Centurion, both teams are weighing up key changes to their playing XIs, with adjustments needed for different conditions and player form.

India’s Opening Concerns and Potential Changes

One of India’s biggest concerns heading into the third T20I is the form of opener Abhishek Sharma. The young batter has struggled throughout the series, managing only 11 runs from two innings and failing to surpass the 20-run mark in eight of his nine T20I appearances. Despite this, India is expected to back him for the upcoming match, as they have no backup openers in the squad. The management seems prepared to give their opening pair an extended run in South Africa, hoping that Sharma can find his rhythm and contribute to a solid start.

However, India may look to strengthen their bowling attack in Centurion, a venue known for its pace and bounce. The team could potentially replace one of their spinners with an extra pacer. This might see Axar Patel making way, with either Yash Dayal or Vijaykumar Vyshak coming into the side. Both are capable of adding pace to India’s bowling unit. Additionally, all-rounder Ramandeep Singh, known for his medium pace, could also come into the mix, offering flexibility in India’s bowling options.

South Africa’s Pace Boost and Spin Adjustments

South Africa also have some decisions to make ahead of the third T20I. With the pitch in Centurion expected to offer more pace, the hosts might bring in Ottneil Baartman to bolster their pace attack. Baartman’s raw pace could add an extra edge to the South African bowling unit, which is looking to put pressure on India’s batters, especially given the conditions.

On the spin front, South Africa could opt to reduce their reliance on spin. Leg-spinner Nqaba Peter might be left out of the playing XI, with the team looking to bring in more pace options for the match. This move could help South Africa better adapt to the conditions at SuperSport Park, where pace and bounce are expected to dominate.

What to Expect in Centurion

With the series tied at 1-1, both teams will be eager to make the necessary adjustments and gain an advantage in the 3rd T20I. India will be hoping for a stronger batting performance, especially from their openers, while South Africa will look to capitalize on their pace attack and middle-order strength. The high-bounce conditions of Centurion promise to make this a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to secure an important lead in the series.