Sanjay Bangar picks his Indian XI for IND vs SA 2025 1st T20I, chooses Jitesh Sharma ahead of Sanju Samson

Former India player Sanjay Bangar has picked his Men in Blue playing XI for the first T20I against South Africa. He chose Jitesh Sharma ahead of Sanju Samson as a middle-order wicketkeeper-batter.

India will lock horns with South Africa in a five-match T20I series, with the first game to be played in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9. Jitesh and Samson will compete for the wicketkeeper-batter’s position in the hosts’ playing XI.

During an interaction on the Star Sports show, ‘Follow the Blues,’ Bangar opined that Arshdeep Singh is unlikely to get a place in the XI if Jasprit Bumrah is available and that Jitesh should be preferred over Samson.

“Unfortunately, there is no place for him (Arshdeep), considering the combination with which the Indian team has been playing till now, and Suryakumar Yadav also said they won’t make too many changes. However, if Jasprit Bumrah isn’t available, Arshdeep will come immediately because he also bowls like that,” the former India all-rounder said.

“You have three bowlers like Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, who are wicket-takers in any format, and then you have a good restrictive option in Axar Patel. I haven’t given a place to Sanju Samson in the team because the middle order is quite strong, and Jitesh Sharma can give you a good batting option at No. 7, as he has batted a lot at that position,” Bangar added.

Jitesh Sharma has aggregated 125 runs at a strike rate of 147.05 in nine T20I innings. Sanju Samson has scored 995 runs at a strike rate of 147.40 in 43 T20I innings, but has enjoyed more success as an opener.

Sanjay Bangar’s Indian XI for IND vs SA 2025 1st T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

“Really a massive boost” – Sanjay Bangar on Hardik Pandya’s return for IND vs SA 2025 T20Is

In the same interaction, Sanjay Bangar was asked about the importance of Hardik Pandya’s return to India’s T20I lineup.

“Really a massive boost, because the combination with which the team wants to go, more spin options and all-rounders, you will probably have to sacrifice a fast bowler there. Only one main fast bowler might play,” he responded.

The former India batting coach highlighted that Hardik can play the second seamer’s role, thereby allowing Suryakumar Yadav and company to play three frontline spinners.

“So, who could be the second fast bowler? It can be Hardik Pandya because this player has that kind of ability. Based on his bowling alone, he can fit into any international team among the top three seamers. For that, him being available and totally fit is excellent news for the Indian team,” Bangar observed.

Hardik Pandya has picked up 98 wickets at an economy rate of 8.22 in 108 T20I innings. He has also scored 1,860 runs at a strike rate of 141.01 in 94 T20I innings.