World T20 preps commence with SA series

Virat Kohli will be venturing into the unknown with a clean slate, where a few seasoned hands will be backing a group of immensely talented youngsters, in his preparation for World T20 title which begins with a three-match bilateral series against South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday.

The 3-0 series win against the West Indies could be called a precursor and the real battle begins now against Quinton de Kock’s Proteas who are also in the midst of a tough transition.

A good spell from Kagiso Rabada or a cameo from David Miller could pose challenge for the Indians, while some of the others like Test specialist Temba Bavuma or Anrich Nortje will like to prove their credentials in absence of Faf du Plessis and the now retired Hashim Amla.

There will be around 20 odd matches for captain Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri to build a near perfect combination going into the World T20 in Australia in October next year.

There are many questions that the team management will have to answer in the next 13 months during which the Indian Premier League will also be held.

Save Kohli, his deputy Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for this series, at least seven slots in the playing XI and four more in the 15-member squad are up for grabs, with some bold steps on cards.

The retirement is Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still anyone’s guess and Rishabh Pant's indiscretions don't make it easier for Kohli and Shastri.

Manish Pandey has been in and around for years now and despite the kind of quality he possesses, the Karnataka batsman has not inspired highest confidence in the chances given to him. So will it be Pandey at No 4 or Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer, who was in fine form during the Windies one dayers?

The other fascinating aspect will be the future of spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, at least in the shortest version.

Rajasthan leg-spinner Rahul Chahar is a young talent and is being billed as one for the future.

Not to forget, India have a back-up finger spinner in young Washington Sundar, who in his U-19 days was a hard-hitting top-order batsman.        

And with all-rounder Krunal Pandya also shaping up well and Ravindra Jadeja's experience set to come in handy, where does it leave the much in demand wrist spin duo, who had replaced Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja (for the better part) post 2017 Champions Trophy?

Last but not the least is the pace department where Bumrah is the only certainty.

Deepak Chahar, who many in Indian cricket term as 'Poor Man's Praveen Kumar' for the movement he generates during first spell, is an inspired investment for the shortest version.

And then there is Navdeep Saini with raw pace and Khaleel Ahmed bringing in the left-arm variety but known to leak runs. Will they be persisted with in the long run?

In next 13 months, Kohli will seek all the answers.

Squads:

India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (c), Rassie van der Dussen (vc), Temba Bauvma, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukyao, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde.

Match Starts 7 pm.