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Sanju Samson back, Shubman Gill out; will Bumrah play? India likely XI for 5th T20I vs SA

Debashis Sarangi

Samson is likely to replace Gill [Source: AFP]Samson is likely to replace Gill [Source: AFP]

On Friday, India will cross swords against South Africa in the fifth and final T20I of the ongoing home series. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India have taken an unassailable 2-1 lead, having won two out of the first three T20Is. The crucial fourth T20I in Lucknow was abandoned due to extreme smog in Lucknow, and the decider is all set to be played at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

The Indian T20I squad witnessed several notable changes, with Shubman Gill getting ruled out due to a foot injury. Axar Patel has also been sidelined, as Shahbaz Ahmed has replaced him in the side. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has rejoined the team after missing the third T20I due to family reasons. 

Sanju Samson to make T20I comeback as Shubman Gill's replacement

Criterion
Data
Innings17
Runs522
Average32.63
Strike Rate178.77

(Sanju Samson's stats as T20I opener)

Sanju Samson was impressive as India's new T20I opener after Rohit Sharma's retirement, slamming three blistering centuries. However, Shubman Gill's comeback as India's potential all-format skipper destabilised Samson's position, and the Kerala batter eventually ended up losing his spot in the side. 

But now, with Gill getting sidelined from the team due to injury, Sanju Samson will likely make his comeback despite Jitesh Sharma retaining his spot as the wicketkeeper. Samson has the experience of opening the batting with Abhishek Sharma and the duo can give India a flying start in the fifth T20I. 

Bumrah might come in for Harshit Rana

Jasprit Bumrah has rejoined the Indian team for the T20I series against South Africa. So, as the hosts have a genuine chance to seal the series by 3-1, they will likely bring their best bowler, Bumrah, back into the side. 

In such a scenario, Harshit Rana, who played the third T20I in Bumrah's absence, might make room for the ace speedster. Rana bowled a magnificent spell in the previous game, scalping the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis. 

However, with Bumrah coming in and Pandya and Shivam Dube chipping in with a few overs of pace, he's unlikely to play the Ahmedabad clash. 

Will Axar Patel's replacement get a game?

Axar Patel has been ruled out of the India vs South Africa fifth T20I, with Shahbaz Ahmed replacing him in the squad. However, as Washington Sundar was already present in the Indian squad, he might get the first preference over Shahbaz for the series decider. 

Sundar is definitely a better bowler than Shahbaz and can add depth to the Indian batting unit with his experience. 

As Bumrah is likely to make a comeback, India might prioritise batting depth over bowling quality, and hence Kuldeep Yadav could be excluded to accommodate Sundar in the lineup. 

India's probable playing XI for 5th T20I vs South Africa

Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy