India are about to play their first ever four-match bilateral T20I series, in South Africa. Here is what they can learn from the games.
Take risks, go big
Suryakumar Yadav has led India in only 13 T20Is, but a format has begun to evolve. In the “SKY” era, Indian batters have scored at 10.35 an over – in other words, 207 in a 20-over innings. With a five-match cut-off, India’s next-fastest scoring team has been under Hardik Pandya (9.09), his immediate predecessor if one ignores Rohit Sharma’s brief return.
With the same restriction, India’s batting average has been the second-lowest under Pandya (29.28) and third-lowest under Surya (29.66). In other words, since the 2022 T20 World Cup, Indian batters have been losing more wickets while scoring at a quicker rate, for they are taking more risks. The time frame is reasonable, and it needs to be seen whether India continue with the same approach, making it their hallmark.
Also read: Predicted: India's XI for the first T20I against South Africa in Durban
Make or break for Samson
While there is little doubt over his talent, Sanju Samson has never been able to score against the big oppositions in T20Is. He finally came good at this level with a 47-ball 111 against Bangladesh at Hyderabad. It is time for him to continue with the form.
In a talent pool where competition is intense, time is running out for him at 29. A couple of failures may bring Jitesh Sharma back in T20I contention. The 2026 T20 World Cup is only a year and a half away.
How deep do the fast bowling reserves go?
The Indian Test squad in Australia has six fast bowlers and three more in the reserves, leaving the selectors with Arshdeep Singh and a second-string pool to choose from.
Dropped from the side some time ago, Avesh Khan will have a point to prove in the usually helpful conditions of South Africa. Yash Dayal has been part of the Indian Test squad and has been retained by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but is yet to get a national cap in any format. The other uncapped fast bowler is Vijaykumar Vyshak, who can both hit the deck and vary pace. Exciting times ahead.
Focus on all-rounders
One problem India have perennially faced is the lack of batters who can bowl. At the T20 World Cup, they were forced to pick all three of Pandya, Axar Patel, and Jadeja. Jadeja often went unused, but they could not risk not picking him.
The post-World Cup side features Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Verma along with Hardik and Axar. Surya himself does not hesitate to roll his arm over, while India have also tried out Rinku Singh. India have used seven bowlers in their last three T20Is – something they had done only four times between September 2022 and July 2024. Their batters are bowling more, giving them more options.
That leadership thing
Pandya was booed by Mumbai Indians fans after he replaced Rohit, the national captain, for the 2024 IPL. MI finished last in the season, shortly after which Rohit led India to T20 World Cup triumph (with Pandya in the side) and promptly retired. Instead of Pandya, who had been leading India in the format whenever Rohit was absent, the selectors named Surya as the new T20I captain.
Rohit might have retired, but the situation has not changed. The Indian T20I captain will continue to play under Pandya for the Mumbai Indians, and they will switch the role for the national side, and will have to get used to each other’s leadership styles and strategies. It is often easier said than done, but it is important they they get adjusted to a situation that is likely to stay there for some time.
An eye on the auction
The series gets over on November 15, nine days before the mega auction begins. Some of these cricketers have been retained by their respective franchises, but not all. The series will not only help the national selectors improve on their blueprint for the 2026 T20 World Cup but also play a major role in defining the core of the IPL franchises until the 2027 edition.
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