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Abhishek Sharma And...? India Likely To Drop 4 Players From T20Is After South Africa Series Win

Debashis Sarangi

Abhishek Sharma might not be picked for ENG T20Is [Source: @TheCricCorner/X]Abhishek Sharma might not be picked for ENG T20Is [Source: @TheCricCorner/X]

On Friday, India swatted aside South Africa by 135 runs in the fourth T20I to clinch the series comprehensively by 3-1. The visitors had a remarkable start to the series, winning the first T20I in Durban. Although they lost the subsequent encounter in Gqeberha, the Men in Blue made a remarkable comeback by thrashing the hosts in the next two encounters in Centurion and Johannesburg. 

However, although India's overall performance received applause, the inconsistency of opening batter Abhishek Sharma emerged as a massive concern for the visitors. So, considering Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma's prolific batting form, the Men in Blue might exclude several high-profile names from their T20I scheme of things going forward. 

Before India's next T20I series against England, here are four players who might not get a chance in the shortest format soon. 

Abhishek Sharma

The swashbuckling southpaw had a stellar start to his career, slamming a blistering hundred in his second T20I outing. However, his career has been marred by inconsistency, with the fast bowlers exploiting Abhishek's technique on pace-friendly decks. 

The left-handed batter definitely regained his mojo by hammering a sensational fifty in the third T20I, but his failure on Johannesburg's batting wicket put serious question marks on his place in the side. 

So, considering India have a 19-day gap between the conclusion of the final BGT Test and the commencement of the England T20Is, they might bring Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, with Abhishek being shown the exit door ahead of the five-match home series. 

Riyan Parag

The swashbuckling cricketer showed glimpses of his all-round attributes during his brief international stint with the Indian team. However, an unfortunate chronic right shoulder injury ruled him out of the South Africa T20Is, with Tilak Varma replacing him in the squad. 

Varma grabbed the opportunity with both hands, slamming the highest-ever runs by an Indian in a T20I series. He hammered two successive blistering tons, paving the way for India's historic series win on South African soil. 

So, given that Varma performed admirably for the national side, Riyan Parag might not make a comeback when India pick their squad for the England T20Is. 

Shivam Dube

The hard-hitting all-rounder played a pivotal role in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. Shivam Dube played as a middle overs enforcer, ensuring solid totals for India in some important matches, including the final. 

However, a recurring back injury sidelined him from the South Africa T20Is, with promising all-rounder Ramandeep Singh replacing him in the Indian squad. Ramandeep grabbed the eyeballs through his power-hitting skills in his maiden outing. Apart from chipping in with crucial overs, Ramandeep is an excellent fielder unlike Dube. 

So, he can be a better long-term prospect than the CSK for India as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. In such a scenario, we might not see Dube back in the T20I team, with Hardik and Ramandeep expected to be preferred as the seam bowling all-rounders. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad

The stylish batter from Maharashtra was impressive in his final T20I series for India, amassing 133 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 66.50 and a strike rate of 158.33. Although his numbers were outstanding, the Indian management planned Sanju Samson to use as an opener in the T20I side. 

The Kerala batter has been a force to reckon with the bat at the top order, smashing three centuries in his last seven innings. Furthermore, Gaikwad seems to be in India's red-ball plans, as the selectors included him in the A-team for the recently held unofficial Test series against Australia-A. With Samson unleashing his beast mode and the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill waiting for a comeback, Gaikwad might not make a T20I comeback soon.