IND vs SA 2022: Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has predicted the result of the first T20I between India and South Africa. He feels that India will lose the game as the absence of Hardik Pandya will disturb the balance of the team.
IND vs SA 2022: “I think India will lose this game,” Aakash Chopra ahead of the first T20I
India and South Africa are all set to lock horns in the first T20I on Wednesday (28th September) in Thiruvananthapuram. The hosts will be coming into the series on a back of a series win in Australia whereas the Proteas would be confident going into the series as they haven’t lost in T20Is in India since 2018.
India will miss the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya, who will go to NCA for conditioning-related work. Also, Deepak Hooda has been ruled out of the series due to a back spasm. BCCI has added Shahbaz Ahmed and Shreyas Iyer to the team.
Temba Bavuma said, "Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are big names in world cricket with a massive pedigree behind them".
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It is expected that India will play only 5 bowlers in the first game, which of late hasn’t worked for them. Ahead of the match, many fans and pundits have predicted the result for the game.
Aakash Chopra feels that India will lose because of their disturbed balance and death bowling woes. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said:
“I think India will lose this game. Hardik Pandya is not available for the series, that is not a big issue. But, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s absence is a problem because he was not bowling well, he has been way too expensive in the death overs. He was also getting hit with the new ball over the last few matches. I am not feeling 100 percent confident.”
“I personally fear this team,” Aakash Chopra says South Africa will be a big problem for India
South Africa will play a full-strength team this time as compared to their last tour earlier this month. Aakash Chopra feels that he fears the Proteas and they have the potential to go far in World Cup as well. He said:
“Last time around Markram was not there, de Kock played only one match, so the team looked a little weak and in search of balance. But, nothing like that will happen this time. I personally fear this team, this team has the potential to go very far in the World Cup as well. Without Hardik Pandya, India looks like a slightly weaker team.”
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Notably, India and South Africa have been placed in the same group of the T20 World Cup 2022. After the three-match series, they will play in the marquee tournament.