IND vs SA: 3 changes India could make for Super 8 clash of T20 World Cup 2026

The IND vs SA match of T20 World Cup 2026 will be played on February 22.

India are pulling their socks up for their first game of the Super 8 round in T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa. The IND vs SA match will be played on Sunday, February 22, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Suryakumar Yadav & Co. were the table toppers in the league stage, finishing Group A points table with 8 points.

India have tried different combinations in their playing XI in T20 World Cup due to injuries and pitch conditions. The IND vs SA clash is a crucial one for the Men-in-Blue as the victory against the Proteas will give them a head start in the race to the semi-finals.

Moreover, South Africa are a strong side and the Men-in-Blue need to play their strongest combination. India might shuffle a few players in their playing XI and below are three of them.

3. Axar Patel over Washington Sundar

Axar Patel missed the last game and was replaced by Washington Sundar in the playing XI. However, Patel might return to the side for the next clash as he is the vice-captain of the team and Narendra Modi Stadium is his home ground.

Moreover, a left-arm spinner will be more beneficial than a right-arm spinner as India’s front-line spinner Varun Chakravarthy is a right-arm spinner.

2. Sanju Samson over Tilak Varma

Sanju Samson can be picked over Tilak Varma at the three. The latter has struggled to come up with a big knock in all four games, losing his wicket for 25, 25, 25, and 31.

Moreover, Varma’s inability to score against spinners has affected the team’s run-rate in the middle-overs. Samson has a good experience at three and can dominate spinners; hence, he might be considered in the IND vs SA game.

3. Kuldeep Yadav over Arshdeep Singh

Kuldeep Yadav was picked as an extra spinner in the clash against Pakistan at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo due to the spin-friendly and turning wicket. He replaced Arshdeep Singh in the encounter but the latter made a comeback in the previous game against Nertherlands.

Since the Ahmedabad wicket is more spin-friendly, Kuldeep might be chosen over Arshdeep once again to add an extra spinner in the playing XI.

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