3 things India need to do right in the 4th T20I vs South Africa ft. Tilak Varma & Suryakumar Yadav

India are all set to face off against South Africa at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, December 17. The Men in Blue currently hold a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

India have managed two fairly convincing victories in the three matches so far, including one in the previous game when Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel were unavailable. However, the hosts haven't always been at their best from a tactical perspective.

India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Shahbaz Ahmed, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (wk), Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya.

South Africa's T20I squad for the India series: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Lutho Sipamla, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.

On that note, here are three things India need to do right in the fourth T20I against South Africa.

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#3 India need to be clear about Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav's batting positions

India v England - 2nd T20I - Source: Getty

India have played around extensively with their batting positions in the last few T20Is. They seem to have settled on Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav rounding off the top four, but they need to be very careful regarding which order they use their star players in.

During the previous game, Tilak was sent in at No. 3 even though the powerplay had long been done. With South Africa not having a left-arm spinner in their ranks, the concept of a left-right combination was totally unnecessary. In that situation, Suryakumar was certainly the right man for the job.

Similarly, in the 4th T20I, India need to send Suryakumar in if a wicket falls towards the end of or after the powerplay. Tilak, meanwhile, can be used in the case of an early wicket.

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#2 The South African spinners must be counter-attacked instantly

Pakistan v South Africa - T20 Series: Game 1 - Source: Getty

South Africa went in without a spinner in the previous game, but that is expected to change. With conditions at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow assisting the slower bowlers, George Linde is expected to return to the playing XI.

India need to be wary of Linde's threat. The left-arm spinner is capable of slowing it down and quickening it up as the conditions demand, while being solid against both right and left-handers.

Taking the attack to Linde will be India's best course of action when it comes to finding control through the middle overs. They can't afford to let him settle as that would bring the fast bowlers into the game as well.

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#1 The hosts must make a change at the top of the order

Asia Cup Cricket - Source: Getty

In a way, it's understandable that India want to back Shubman Gill to be their secondary opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. However, the Indian vice-captain simply hasn't done enough to justify being picked ahead of Sanju Samson, who was rather unfairly dropped after being relegated to a middle-order spot.

At some point, India will need to weigh up their options. The T20 World Cup is fast approaching, and with these two games being the last ones before the squad is selected, giving Samson an opportunity would be ideal.

Gill has looked completely out of sorts in the middle so far. In the previous game, he jabbed at deliveries outside the off-stump without any footwork and was completely unsettled by the South African fast bowlers.

Gill is an immensely talented player who will eventually figure it out in T20I cricket, but as of now, Samson would give the Men in Blue a greater chance at victory.

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Edited by Sai Krishna