India Likely Playing 11 vs South Africa: Abhishek Sharma or Tilak Verma? Who will be out of Team India’s playing 11 from T20 World Cup Super 8 against South Africa?

New Delhi. The bugle for the Super-8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026 has been sounded. India will play its first match against South Africa at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Before this high-voltage match, the Indian team management is considering major changes in the playing 11. Team India, which reached Super-8 while remaining invincible, now wants to take the field with its strongest team. There can be three changes in the Indian team. Sanju Samson is seen practicing batting. He is sweating profusely in the nets. The Indian team can face South Africa with three changes.

After being rested in the last match against Netherlands, India’s vice-captain Akshar Patel is almost certain to return to the playing eleven. Washington Sundar was given a chance in his place, but Sundar failed to capitalize on this opportunity. He bowled the quota of 4 overs, but did not get any wicket and did not even get a chance to bat. This is ‘home ground’ for Axar Patel as he represents Gujarat in domestic cricket. His experience on the Ahmedabad pitch can prove to be a trump card for India against South Africa.

Abhishek Sharma vs Sanju Samson: Opening mystery
The biggest matter of concern for the Indian team is the form of number-1 batsman Abhishek Sharma in the ICC T20 rankings. After being out for a duck thrice in three matches of the group stage, the sword is hanging in his place. The management has Sanju Samson as an option. Although Samson is also struggling for consistency, his inning of 22 runs in 8 balls (3 sixes, 1 four) played against Namibia in Delhi on 12 February has caught the attention of the selectors. If Abhishek does not get another chance, then Samson may be seen opening with Ishan Kishan.

Trust in Tilak Verma remains intact
The performance of 23-year-old left-handed batsman Tilak Verma from Hyderabad has not been as expected in the four matches of Group A. Despite this, the chances of dropping him against South Africa are slim. The main reason for this is that Tilak has been India’s most successful batsman in T20 against South Africa. His record against this team is motivating the team management to bet on him.

Bowling attack: Chakraborty and Bumrah’s fear
India’s bowling has emerged as the biggest strength in this tournament. World number-1 T20 bowler Varun Chakraborty will take charge of the spin. Varun, who has taken 9 wickets in 4 matches in this World Cup, is India’s second most successful bowler against South Africa. The spinners are expected to dominate the Ahmedabad pitch, in such a situation the pair of Akshar and Varun will present a big challenge for the South African batsmen. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will start the attack with the new ball, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dubey will provide support as medium pace bowlers.

India’s probable 11 against South Africa:
Abhishek Sharma/Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.