(Cricket news) After losing the first T20I, India are now preparing to take on South Africa in Cuttack. The first match was a tale of two innings for India as their batting was almost perfect while the bowling was way off. South Africa on the other hand will be looking to get a 2-0 lead. The Proteas will be looking to improve their bowling this time around, especially in the power play. Both the teams are likely to name an unchanged playing XI as the conditions shouldn't be too different.

India's possible playing XI:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik.

Bench: Deepak Hooda, Venkatesh Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The batting line-up is likely to remain the same. However there might be a few changes in the bowling department. Umran Malik's pace is too much of an asset to be kept on the bench for a long time. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the one likely to be replaced. There is a high chance that India may field an unchanged XI as well.

South Africa possible playing XI:

Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje

Bench: Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen

Aiden Markaram, who missed the last game due to Covid is likely to miss this one as well. Even though the two spinners had a tough game in Delhi, they should be retained in the team. South Africa will be hoping that the two openers stay at the crease for longer. Pretorius is likely to be used as a floater depending on the situation. David Miller is definitely one to look out for as he is in the form of his life. 

The dew factor will definitely come into play in Cuttack. The pitch is expected to be slower which is why it could be a low scoring game. A 2-0 deficit will be very difficult for India to come back from. South Africa have already defeated India in Tests and ODIs, now they have taken the lead in T20Is as well. Rishabh Pant has had quite a few criticisms about his captaincy in the last match and he will have a few questions to answer.

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