Gambhir to drop Shubman Gill for Sanju Samson? India probable XI for 3rd T20I vs SA

Samson could be an alternative for struggling Gill [Source: AFP]

On Sunday, India will cross swords against South Africa in the third T20I of the ongoing five-match series. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India secured a comfortable win in the first T20I before South Africa restored parity with a convincing victory in the subsequent encounter in Mullanpur. 

With the scoreline reading one-all, both teams will be aiming to secure a victory and get an upper hand in the series. As Suryakumar Yadav and co. gear up for the all-important fixture at the picturesque HPCA stadium in Dharamsala, here we decode what could be India's probable lineup for this match. 

Will Shubman Gill make room for Sanju Samson in IND playing XI?

• As evidenced by the above stats, Sanju Samson has performed remarkably as an opener for India in T20Is. While the swashbuckling Kerala batter has amassed 522 runs at an average of 32.62 and a strike rate of 178.76, Gill has yet to make his mark at the position, managing 831 runs at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 140.40. 
• These numbers suggest that Samson has not only scored at a brisker pace but also been more consistent as an opener than Gill in the shortest format. 
• Statistically, Gill has managed only four runs in the first two T20Is, averaging just two with the bat. Since making his comeback, the stylish right-hander has looked lacklustre, scoring 263 runs at a modest average of 23.90. 
• So, ideally, India should slot Samson at the top and exclude Gill from the playing XI, with the latter struggling to get going against South Africa. However, the absence of a genuine middle-order batter in the reserves and the success of Jitesh Sharma as a keeper-batter in the ongoing series might still prompt India to stick to their existing opening combination. That said, if Samson gets in, he could play as a specialist batter and Jitesh might continue to keep wickets. 

---

ALSO READ

"Double standards": Ex-cricketer questions management for ignoring Samson and backing Gill

---

Questions raised over Arshdeep's place

Arshdeep Singh had an off day with the ball in the second T20I between India and South Africa. The left-arm pacer found it tough to control the flow of runs, going wicketless for 54 runs in his four-over spell. His mediocre performance might make fans question his place in India's playing XI. 

However, Arshdeep has been a proven performer for the Men in Blue in the shortest format, scalping 107 wickets in 69 innings at a magnificent strike rate of 13.4. He did well in the series opener in Cuttack, getting the prized breakthroughs of Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs. 

He is a phenomenal swing bowler and can dismantle the opposition if he gets going with the new ball. So, although the Gautam Gambhir-led think tank have a genuine chance to rope in Harshit Rana, who could also ensure batting depth, chances are high that Arshdeep will get another game due to his bowling skills across phases and left-arm angle. 

SKY, Tilak, Abhishek, Pandya, Bumrah and Chakravarthy to form the Indian core

Despite suffering from poor form and a run-scoring rut, Suryakumar Yadav, being the captain of the team, will continue to spearhead the middle-order alongside Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya. All eyes will be on the swashbuckling Abhishek Sharma, who has yet to score big in the series. 

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy will be India's go-to men with the ball, as they can consistently trouble the South Africans with their accuracy and variations. 

India's probable playing XI for 3rd T20I vs SA

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson/Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

---

ALSO READ

Hilarious! Arshdeep Singh trolls himself on Snapchat after conceding 7 wides in 2nd T20I vs SA

---