India are heading into the second T20I at Gqeberha after displaying dominant form in the opening victory against South Africa. The Proteas, captained by Aiden Markram, will look to bounce back from a poor performance at Kingsmead where they failed to take advantage of favorable conditions and ended in a 61-run defeat.

Under Suryakumar Yadav, India look like a well-oiled machine and the visitors will hope to continue their rich vein of form in the second T20I to be hosted by St George’s Park in Gqeberha.

Sanju Samson’s record-breaking hundred and the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi orchestrated India’s massive series-opening win. India are unlikely to field a winning combination and their consideration of testing their strengths on the bench will be affected by conditions on Sunday, November 10.

However, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma as the young opener has looked out of sorts in the recent past.

IS TIME PASSING FOR ABHISHEK SHARMA?

Abhishek Sharma has struggled to find consistency since his breakthrough century in just his second T20I against Zimbabwe. Abhishek failed to cross the 20-run mark in eight of his nine innings in T20Is. His last significant contribution came with India A’s solid 54-run knock against the UAE in the Emerging Asia Cup, but he is yet to reach that level on the international stage.

While other candidates for the opening berth (Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill) are expected to return to contention for the T20I squad after India face Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Abhishek needs to step up and deliver to stay in South Africa . his place in the team.

Yes, Abhishek has been given the go-ahead to do big things right from the word go, but the youngster needs to find a way to balance aggression and common sense to succeed at the top.

SA and IND 1st T20I: Match Report

India have options like the impressive Yash Dayal and Ramandeep Singh as reserve fielders in the series opener. India may be tempted to play with extra tempo as the pitch at Gqberha offers more help with tempo. All-rounder Ramandeep Singh may try the second T20I with his medium pacer.

WILL SOUTH AFRICA MAKE A CHANGE?

South Africa, on the other hand, needs to find a way to be more competitive. But Aiden Markram’s side is unlikely to panic and make wholesale changes after the first T20I. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller have suffered rare setbacks in the middle order and the two senior pros will be keen to regain the rhythm.

South Africa’s young bowling squad will be tested again. Leg-spinner Nqaba Peter may face the axe after a tough game and will likely be replaced by fast bowler Ottneil Baartman. Reeza Hendricks, who missed the series opener due to illness, is likely to return to the top.

SCENE AND CONDITIONS: GQEBERHA

The pitch at St George’s Park is expected to help pacers more than spinners. Some rain is expected for the second T20I on Sunday.

Notably, India lost the T20I at the ground last year despite posting 180 for 7 in 20 overs. South Africa won the rain-shortened match by 5 wickets. While Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh shone with the bat, South Africa rode a bowling display from Gerald Coetzee to emerge victorious.

SA v IND, 2nd T20I PREDICTED GAME XI

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, AIden Markram (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman.

India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardin Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Avdesh Khan.