India vs South Africa, T20I series: Best combined XI of the series

After the first game was sacrificed to the rain gods, India and South Africa squared the three-match T20I series 1-1 courtesy a couple of fabulous captain knocks from both sides. Virat Kohli’s outrageous exhibition of classy strokeplay in Mohali and Quinton de Kock’s man of the series-winning display in his first series as captain were the two biggest takeaways.

Beuran Hendricks put on a brilliant show in Bengaluru alongside Kagiso Rabada put South Africa in firm control after the first innings. Quinton de Kock carried the momentum forward and helped the Proteas register a comfortable 9-wicket win, setting things up beautifully for the Test series.

Here’s the best-combined XI from this series

1. Quinton de Kock (C)

The first assignment as a captain, got it checked with a sumptuous knock when it mattered. Quinton de Kock showed great temperament while leading the side and was pretty much spot on with his bowling changes and field sets. This performance will make the selectors breath a little more normally, especially after a stretch of poor performances.

Even in the first encounter in Mohali, he scored a timely half-century and led the side by example. If captaincy is not hampering his batting performances much, this could be the beginning of a very memorable era for the Safaris.

With 131 runs at a strike-rate of 147.19, there was definitely no debate as to who will take the man of the series title. The 26-year-old is also completed 1,000 runs in T20Is during the Bengaluru fixture, making him the second-fastest to reach the landmark among all wicket-keepers.