Having warmed the benches during India's back-to-back defeats, Ajinkya Rahane and Stuart Binny are likely to make the playing eleven in the third and final T20 match against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.
Though it's difficult to predict team composition, going by the batting order at India’s nets session at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, it was striking to see Binny start proceedings alongside Suresh Raina.
The all-rounder also slogged it out while bowling his medium pacers to the batsmen, providing indications that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni may include him to bolster the batting down the order.
After facing flak for ignoring Rahane, Dhoni is likely to give the specialist T20 batsman a chance in place of Ambati Rayudu, who failed in both the matches, out for ducks.
"Rahane is a quality player and there is no doubt about it. All depends on the team management as to what they feel will be the best team combination to win the game and going forward. Let's see what they decide," Harbhajan Singh said.
Bringing the Rajasthan Royals opener at No 1 is an option, but, in that case, will Dhoni risk resting Rohit Sharma at a venue he scored the ODI record 264?
Shikhar Dhawan, in any case, is yet to convert his starts and was run-out in Dharamsala. The left-hander will look forward to get back among the runs before the ODIs begin.
The South Africans were the first to train at Eden in the morning session. Conspicuous by his absence was their ace batsman, AB de Villiers.
"It's an optional practice today. Some players have taken a day off. It's been a long week. We have had some intense games, a lot of practice and travelling. I hope AB does play. We will see tomorrow," South Africa batsman David Miller said.
Having sealed the series 2-0 after the six-wicket victory in Cuttack, South Africa are eyeing a clean sweep. India, though, will play for pride, hoping to win and carry on the momentum to the five-match ODI series beginning in Kanpur on October 11.
Also read:
- Will Dhoni play Rahane, Mishra in dead rubber against SA?
- 'Once we start winning we will be a difficult side to beat'
- IPL experience key to South Africa's success in India T20s
