India vs South Africa 2023: India's strongest predicted playing XI against South Africa

India (IND) are all set to take on South Africa (SA) in the third and last T20I of the ongoing series. After the first T20I was washed out in Durban, the hosts claimed the second one in Gqeberha by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The Suryakumar Yadav-led India will hope for an improved performance in the final T20I and level the series.

Also check: IND vs SA Live Score, 3rd T20I

Here's India's predicted XI against South Africa:

Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill

India will open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Both batters have been in excellent form in the shortest format and will hope for another good performance in the third T20I as well. Jaiswal failed to showcase his prowess in the second T20I, as he was dismissed for a duck. Shubman Gill failed to get off the mark in the second T20I as well, getting dismissed for a duck. The openers did not make any impact and will look to change that in the final game.

Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk)

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will once again look to make an impact for his side. In the second T20I, the Indian skipper scored 56 off 36, and it could be interesting to see how he performs in the third clash.

Tilak Varma is expected to feature for India once more. The youngster looked in the flow in the second T20I, scoring 29 off 20. However, he will look to improve in the upcoming clash and could be crucial for India in the middle-order.

Star batter Rinku Singh is becoming one of the most influential players in the Indian T20I lineup. Rinku Singh amassed 68* runs in 39 deliveries in the second T20I and his presemce in the middle order could once again be crucial for the visitors.

Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma was unable to go big in the second T20I against the Proteas, going back to the pavilion after scoring just one run. Jitesh will be keen on doing better in the third T20I as India looks to level the series.

All-rounder: Ravindra Jadeja

Ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the only all-rounder in the Indian lineup in the second T20I and it is expected to be the same for the third game. Scoring 19 runs in 14 deliveries with the bat, Jadeja failed to make much impact with the ball. However, the Proteas will not underestimate the veteran in any way. 

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh

The Indian bowling lineup is expected consist of one spinner and three pacers. Ace bowler Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be the main spinner alongside Jadeja. He bolwed three in the second game for one wicket and 26 runs.

Mukesh Kumar was the highest wicket taker in the previous game, taking two wickets for 34 runs in the three overs. The pacer dismissed the likes of Aiden Markram and David Miller, and the Indian team will once again depend on him to showcase his prowess.

Mohammed Siraj will once again look to terrorise the South African batting attack. Taking one wicket and conceding 27 runs in three overs, Siraj looked in fine flow in the previous game and will be keen on putting a similar performance in the final match of the series.

Arshdeep Singh has been in subpar form of late. He conceded 31 runs in two overs in the second match and did not take any wickets. His form has been a cause for concern for Team India in the shortest format and many will expect an improved performance from the 24-year-old.

India’s predicted XI against South Africa in the third T20I:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Also Check: IND vs SA, 3rd T20I, Stats Preview