The India-South Africa T20 series started off with a cracker of a game in Dharamsala on Friday, where the Proteas emerged victorious by seven wickets. Hence India have to win the second T20 in Cuttack on Monday to make the series even more interesting in the third T20.
If the first T20 was a run feast with batsmen from both the camps delivering the goods, the second T20 should be no different. However, there were some players, who failed to live upto the expectation in the first T20, hence they are going to be hungry for a huge performance.
Here are two sets of players, who could play an important role in Cuttack, from India and South Africa.
India
Ravichandran Ashwin
Looking at the quality of the South African batsmen in their line up, Ashwin, who was the most economical bowler for India in the first T20, will once again be asked to deliver the goods. However, he needs to not only apply the brakes on scoring, but also take crucial wickets. Ashwin has been a successful bowler for India of late, irrespective of the format. The way AB de Villiers smashed the Indian pacers in the first T20, it could be wise for India to use Ashwin up front against De Villiers, who was cleaned up by the spinner.
Suresh Raina
The left-hander, who has been shouldering the responsibility of finishing off the games, needs to be at his best in the second T20. Raina batting in the middle order will be important, depending on the start that will be given by Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma at the top. Raina possess a good game where he can play as per the situation. It makes him a skillful batsman in the shortest format of the game.
South Africa
JP Duminy
Duminy will be eager to continue his form in the second T20 as well after a match-winning knock in Dharamsala. Not only did the batsman attack the pacers with good effect, but also hit the spinners for huge sixes, which changed the complexion of the game. The left-handed batsman is a dangerous finisher. Apart from his batting skills, Duminy is a more than useful spinner in the middle overs of the game and is hence regarded as the man with the golden arm -- for his ability to break partnerships -- in the South African team.
Hashim Amla
Ab de Villiers might have overpowered Amla in the first T20, but his performance against the Indian pacers was right up there, where he played some exquisite shots. If Amla plays in such a manner, it relieves pressure from de Villiers, who can then play pressure free cricket. Not only is Amla good against pacers, but also against spinners, which makes him a dangerous batsman. In a team with full of stroke players, Amla, who is the much needed anchorman, also scores at a good rate.
