Sanjay Bangar Analyzes Key Players in India-South Africa T20I Series

In a recent analysis, former cricketer Sanjay Bangar delves into the performances of key Indian players during the T20I series against South Africa. He highlights Abhishek Sharma's aggressive batting style, Hardik Pandya's all-round capabilities, and Shubman Gill's struggles with form. Additionally, the article provides updates on Axar Patel's health and the upcoming matches in the series. This comprehensive overview offers fans valuable insights into the players' contributions and challenges as India leads the series 2-1.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 16:47 IST

Sanjay Bangar Discusses Abhishek Sharma's Aggressive Approach

Former cricketer Sanjay Bangar has shared insights on the aggressive batting style of Abhishek Sharma, currently the top T20I batter globally. He emphasized Sharma's high backlift, which enhances his reach to the ball. "His attacking mindset is crucial. When he faces deliveries outside the off stump, he strikes them powerfully. A significant factor in his batting is his elevated backlift, which allows him to reach the ball effectively. The swing he generates enables him to hit impressive sixes, particularly over the covers, showcasing a unique skill. He avoids hitting from below, which expands his range tremendously," Bangar explained on Game Plan.

Bangar Highlights Hardik Pandya's Dual Role

Bangar also commented on Hardik Pandya's contributions with both bat and ball. "Hardik's ability to go deep into the crease is remarkable. Even when he does so, he maintains his weight on the front foot, which is advantageous. As a batter, we always advise waiting for the right ball. His wide stance allows him to generate significant power. He can execute various shots, including front-foot, back-foot, and baseball-style hits, effectively utilizing both sides of the field," he noted.

"He bowls at speeds around 132-133 km/h with a fuller length, with approximately 54% of his deliveries pitched up, leading to wicket-taking opportunities. He skillfully allows the ball to swing and can deliver yorkers when necessary. The Indian team has greatly benefited from his versatility," Bangar added.

Evaluation of Shubman Gill's Current Performance

Regarding Shubman Gill, the vice-captain of the India T20I team, who is currently facing challenges in his form, Bangar pointed out that Gill struggles against straight deliveries, resulting in a decline in his strike rate. "Initially, his footwork was very proactive. However, if you exclude three or four boundaries over 28 matches, the issue lies with straighter deliveries. His strike rate has significantly dropped against these balls," he stated.

"While his strike rate is decent against deliveries outside the off stump, there have been instances of edges. Overall, he has managed to score runs, but improving his straight-line play is essential. The delivery that dismissed him in the second game was exceptional and could have gotten any batter out. His footwork has shown improvement, and if he continues to focus on it, he can consistently hit the same shots, similar to the few boundaries we've witnessed," Bangar remarked.

In the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa, Gill has accumulated 32 runs across three matches, averaging a disappointing 10.37.

Update on India vs South Africa Series

In other news, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two T20I matches against South Africa due to illness, as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday.

The BCCI confirmed that Patel will remain with the Indian team in Lucknow for further medical evaluation.

Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as Patel's replacement for the upcoming T20I matches in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

The fourth T20I is scheduled to take place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on December 17, while the fifth and final match will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19.

India currently leads the five-match series 2-1.