India go unchanged in must-win 3rd T20I vs South Africa

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the third T20I match of their five-match series in Vishakapatnam on Tuesday. Both sides go in unchanged. 

“Same thing, bowl again. The colour is different, has a yellowish tinge to it. Feels hard, looks like a good wicket to bat. Same team. Just want to focus on the areas we can improve,” SA skipper Temba Bavuma said after winning the toss. 

Also Read: With Gaikwad’s wicket, Kagiso Rabada reaches big T20I landmark

Rishabh Pant, who lost the third consecutive toss this series, said India is just looking to play good cricket. 

“We would have bowled as well. But as an Indian team we are not looking at the toss too much, just looking to play good cricket. Same team. We spoke about getting better in execution. Planning and tactics are all fine, but and if we can execute better we will be fine. Looks like a better wicket, but feels a bit soft underneath,” Pant said.

Also Read: Axar Patel ahead of Dinesh Karthik? Team India receives flak

Pant-led side lost their opener in New Delhi by seven wickets and the second game in Cuttack by four wickets last week. Two of India’s leading spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal have given uninspiring performances in the first two matches. While Axar has given away 59 runs, Chahal has been smashed for 75 runs. 

Also Read: Spinners need to perform better: Rishabh Pant after 4-wicket loss to South Africa

Here is the playing XI for the two sides – 

South Africa: Temba Bavuma(c), Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje

India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan