IND vs SA: Three Key takeaways from the series

Indian team 

Hosts India outclassed South Africa in all departments to clinch the recently concluded three-match T20I series by 2-1. Despite missing Jasprit Bumrah, India found a way to end up on the winning side, which must have boosted their morale before the all-important T20 World Cup in Australia. 

On the other hand, South Africa fought exemplarily after being drubbed in the first game. Although they eventually lost the series, the way they gave India a run for their money in the remaining two matches justified why they are placed among the potential champions in the upcoming World Cup. 

As the hard-fought series has marked its conclusion, let's jot down the three key takeaways from it. 

Dinesh Karthik: The Flexible batter

The batting form of India's first-choice finisher Dinesh Karthik was concerning before this series. Also, he barely got a chance to bat in the Asia Cup and the Australia series.

But this series provided him the game time he needed before the World Cup. It was a brilliant decision by the team management to promote him up the order in the third match, which he grabbed with both hands. 

Additionally, he showed that if a situation demands his promotion, he can be flexible in the lineup and counterattack to perfection coming at any position. 

Does Temba Bavuma deserve a place? 

This is the most important question from South Africa's perspective at the moment. A brilliant leader on the field, Bavuma failed miserably with the bat in the series, managing only three runs off 19 balls. But, more significantly, Bavuma's inclusion meant South Africa missed the services of Reeza Hendricks in the series, who was in sublime batting form. 

Keeping the result of this series aside, the Proteas obviously won't like to pay the price for Bavuma's horrendous batting form in the World Cup. Of course, their management has stood by the stylish batter, but it's high time the skipper should step up with the bat if he wants his side to finish their World Cup campaign on a high note. 

The 'Bumrah' conundrum

Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out of the World Cup has emerged as a national headache for India. However, the Men in Blue have to digest the fact and search for ways they can compensate for his absence.

This series provided opportunities to Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel and Mohammad Siraj to present their cases for Bumrah's replacement. And I must say, Deepak and Siraj are definitely ahead of Harshal in this regard. 

Chahar was exceptional with the new ball and tried his best with the older one. On the other hand, Siraj nailed his yorkers and conceded only 18 in the two overs that he bowled at the death against two fantastic pace-hitters. 

Harshal had only one good outing with the ball in both the home series combined, which implies he might not make the cut into India's World Cup playing XI. As it stands, one seamer between Shami, Chahar and Siraj will likely be drafted into the team. 

Therefore, it will be interesting to see whether India prefers a deep batting lineup (by including Chahar) or a genuine hit-the-deck seamer. 

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