All-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and batter Shreyas Iyer have replaced Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda in India’s squad for the T20I series against South Africa, starting Wednesday, September 28. India take on South Africa in the T20i series in Thiruvanthapuram, Guwahati, and Indore. As their final international assignment ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

While Hardik Pandya was not named in the squad for the South Africa T20I series. Deepak Hooda has been ruled out due to a back injury. Pandya, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar will head to the National Cricket Academy for conditioning. BCCI had said in a statement on September 12. Shahbaz Ahmed and Shreyas Iyer will join the Indian squad ahead of the first T20I.

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We need to try all options we have, as this is final tour before the World Cup

Shahbaz was picked as a replacement for Washington Sundar for a ODI series in Zimbabwe earlier this year but the Bengal all-rounder did not get a game. On the other, hand Shreyas Iyer is part of the standby for the T20 World Cup. Deepak Hooda was unavailable for selection for the 3rd T20I against Australia on Sunday in Hyderabad after the BCCI confirmed a back injury for the all-rounder. The cricket board did not reveal the extent of Hooda’s injury even as the in-form all-rounder is part of India’s T20 World Cup Squad.

However, Shami was ruled out of the 3-match T20I series against Australia due to Covid-19. Umesh played a T20I for India for the first time in 3 years. He picked up 2 wickets but leaked 27 runs in 2 overs as India failed to chase 208 in the T20I series opener against Australia in Mohali. It remains to be seen if Umesh will retain his place in the T20i squad for the South Africa series.

Notably, India bounced back from the Mohali T20I defeat to win the series 2-1 against Australia. On Sunday, India chased down 187 successfully on the back of fifties from Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. India have been hit by injury concerns in the recent past. Earlier in September, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the T20 World Cup. After he picked up a knee injury in the Asia Cup. Jadeja underwent surgery and Axar Patel replaced the senior all-rounder in the T20I squad for the series against South Africa, Australia and the World Cup.

The return of Mohammed Shami to the Indian T20 International team is expected to be further postponed.The pacer has not fully recovered from the Covid infection that kept him out of the recently concluded series against Australia, according to Cricbuzz. The three T20I series against South Africa, which begins on Wednesday (September 28), may also be without Shami. Additionally, Deepak Hooda, who was unable to compete in the decider on Sunday in Hyderabad due to a back injury, also missed.

Shami has not travelled to Thiruvananthapuram, where the Indian team arrived on Monday evening, for the first game. Shami’s replacement, Umesh Yadav, has travelled with the team, indicating that he will also participate in the three-match South Africa series. Since Sunday, the South African team has already been in the city of Kerala.

It is understood that no decision has yet been made regarding Shami’s eligibility to accompany the Indian team to Australia for the World Cup. 

 “There is no medical update about the time that will take for him to be fully fit but currently it does not look good,”

a source in the know said. 

Shami is one of four standby players. After the most recent World Cup in the UAE, Shami has not played in a T20I. In July, he played his final international in an away ODI against England. 

In the meantime, Hooda has suffered a back injury, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that he will not be selected for Sunday’s third Twenty20 International against Australia in Hyderabad.Sunday’s BCCI statement read:

“Deepak Hooda wasn’t available for selection for this game owing to a back injury.”

BCCI

It now appears that the National Cricket Academy’s medical staff may need to focus on Hooda’s injury. Shreyas Iyer, who was announced as a standby for the series, may take Hooda’s place. He has also not travelled to Thiruvananthapuram.

However, there is currently no word on whether the World Cup squad will be altered. At this point, it appears that all of the chosen players will be able to travel.Following the conclusion of the South Africa series in Indore on October 4, the Indian team will depart for Australia on October 6.

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India’s first World Cup match is on October 23, but the tournament begins on October 16.

India squad for South Africa T20Is: 

Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Shreyas Iyer (likely)

Virat Kohli’s form is under a heavy scanner. His numbers in recent times have been decent, but the rise of other cricketers, who score at a fast rate is putting his style of play in question. In his last T20I, Virat Kohli scored a fifty, but the strike rate was in the 120s. He also has a fifty in the recent World Cup. However, with little game time behind him in white-ball cricket, there isn’t much to judge, barring the pace at which the other batters are batting. The IPL gave something to look at though. Virat Kohli was nowhere near his best, with just 341 runs and a strike rate of 115. The slowdown against spin was evident and this is where he will be under the spotlight the most.

To say that he doesn’t have the range of shots would be unfair. Virat Kohli still has the skill to succeed in T20 cricket. His slowdown against spin in recent times though is a concern. Furthermore, his overall slowdown after the powerplay is a slight concern as Virat Kohli tends to look to play the anchor role after the initial part of the innings. With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul already known to start slower, the presence of Virat Kohli, doing the same role is a concern.

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Going by numbers, Virat has the runs behind him, but his strike-rate is where he falls behind those who he is competing with. Now, he is back for the last two T20Is and these will be crucial as he looks to prove that he still belongs in the shortest format. While Virat Kohli is slated to come back, India are left with a tough question. Who goes out? In the first game, the middle-order had Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is an undroppable force. His batting up the order is pretty good. His bowling is also useful, with Pandya bowling more overs. Overall, a fast bowling all-rounder in the top five is very useful, and he is doing that role nicely. Then there is Suryakumar Yadav. In the last game, Suryakumar Yadav did his role well, providing a quick cameo, which ensured India didn’t lose momentum. Infact, Suryakumar Yadav has fallen into his role of providing crisp and quick innings nicely over the last few months.

The most vulnerable should have been Deepak Hooda, but dropping him seems out of the question now. He has a T20I century after a wonderful knock in the IPL and played a massive role in taking Moeen Ali out of the attack in the first T20I. His intent is what India need, and his flexibility makes him a handy player.

In all likelihood, Virat Kohli may find himself in place of Ishan Kishan. Doing so allows him to open, use the field restrictions and get some momentum against pace. Another option is to open with Hooda while Kohli stays at three. Irrespective of the combinations though, Virat Kohli’s return is almost guaranteed. Who he comes for remains a huge question. Finally, the series will be a big one for him as his T20 spot may just be on the line, looking at his performances in the coming months.

Preview

Ireland vs India: The first T20 was reduced to a twelve-over aside encounter. Despite the shortened game, India and Ireland managed to show some of the talents in their side. Harry Tector from Ireland impressed with a crisp 64, giving Ireland some positive sides for the future. For India, Deepak Hooda, opening the batting continued his consistent run of form, scoring with ease opening the batting. There were also some cameos from Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan which helped India chase down a decent target.

Match Details

Match: Ireland vs India

Date: 28th June 2022

Time: 9:00 PM IST

Venue: Malahide, Dublin

Weather Report

Rain continues to be in the forecast and threatens to play spoilsport in the Ireland vs India game.

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Pitch Report

The pitch is flat and with small boundaries batting will be easy. Batting second is a better option.

Ireland vs India Predicted Playing XI

Ireland Playing XI

Stephen Doheny, Andy Balbairne(c), Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker(wk), George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Mark Adnair, Andy McBrine, Josh Little.

India Playing XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan(wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi/Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya(c), Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel/Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Team News

Due to a calf niggle Ruturaj didn’t walk out to bat in India’s chase. His fitness status is still uncertain and he may be a doubtful starter in the upcoming game.

Key Players

Deepak Hooda

Throughout this year Deepak Hooda has batted everywhere from 1 to 6. He is showing incredible flexibility as a batter and proving that a good batter can bat anywhere. With Deepak Hooda comfortable through the batting line-up, and also chipping in with his off-spin when needed, he is raising his stocks as a multi-utility player. With the ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Deepak Hooda can show how he is a wonderful asset. Furthermore, another good innings here will push him ahead of his competitors.

Harry Tector

Harry Tector showed his aggressive intent well in the first T20I. He is a new talent and his innings will bring a lot of positivity to the Ireland Cricket Team as he impressed many including Hardik Pandya with his batting.

Ireland vs India Match Tips

Rain is likely to have a say in this match as well. With a shortened game likely, India’s batting might and standard keep them ahead of Ireland.

Match Prediction: India will win the match