Ind vs SA 4th T20I: Will Sanju Samson get a chance in Lucknow?

India will look to clinch the T20I series when they take on South Africa in the fourth match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.

During the third T20I in Dharamsala, the Indian team made two changes, drafting in Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana in place of Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. With Bumrah and Axar still unavailable, both Kuldeep and Harshit are expected to continue in the playing XI for the Lucknow fixture. Bumrah has returned home after a close family member was hospitalised, while Axar has been ruled out of the rest of the series due to illness. The changes worked well in Dharamsala, with Kuldeep and Harshit picking up two wickets each in India’s convincing seven-wicket win.

Also Read: Why Jitesh Sharma is preferred over Sanju Samson in Team India?

At the same time, Sanju Samson’s continued absence from the lineup has become a talking point. His exclusion from all three matches so far has surprised many, particularly considering his outstanding numbers against South Africa. Samson has amassed 216 runs in four T20Is versus the Proteas, averaging 72 at a strike rate of 194.59, and has already notched up two centuries against them.

South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, have experimented with their combinations across the series. However, with the fourth T20I being a do-or-die contest, the visitors are expected to field their strongest available side. The team management may opt to recall veteran David Miller in place of Donovan Ferreira to add experience and composure to the middle order. Additionally, South Africa could consider giving left-arm pacer Kwena Mapakha his first game of the series, as he is yet to make an appearance.