Ashwin, Tahir or anyone else — Which spinner will shine most in the India-SA T20 series?

As Indian conditions is known to assist the spinners, one can crystal glaze and see the spinners being the trump card in the red hot contests.

India will cross swords with South Africa in a three match Twenty20 (T20) series with the first one starting from Friday at Dharamsala. As Indian conditions is known to assist the spinners, one can crystal glaze and see the spinners being the trump card in the red hot contests. As both the sides have enough spin ammunition in their artillery to dismantle their opposition. Following are the tweakers named in both the sides.

Indian spinners:

Ravichandran Ashwin: He has a plethora of variations up in his sleeve; his carom balls may come handy and he has replicated his success with red-ball with the white ball too. Apart from that, his stock deliveries are taunting if the pitch has a lot to offer.

Amit Mishra: India’s most trusted spinner in the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh, Mishra has been in a good form off-late. Dhoni threw the ball in him and showed immense faith to let him bowl in the death overs. His googly without a discernible change in action is his most lethal delivery.

Axar Patel: He has been the new and valuable find for India through Indian Premier League (IPL). The young left arm spinner has been very effective in the series and has managed to contain the batsmen. He utilises his height to a great effect and has an impressive control over his line and length.

Harbhajan Singh: India’s ace spinner in the previous decade continues to be a potent threat in the shortest format. He has been excellent in the IPL for Mumbai Indians. He has the ability to chip in with key wickets and also dry up the runs.

South African spinners:

Imran Tahir: He has been South Africa’s frontline spinner across every format. His stock delivery, which is his leg-spin, gets enough turn to trouble a batsman and his googlies are again very difficult to pick. He’s a canny bowler and knows his game pretty well; much of South Africa’s success will depend on four overs bowled by him.

JP Duminy: He is primarily observed as a batting all-rounder and bowls part time spin but he’s been effective and has clinched wickets every time he puts in the hard yards. He brings variety and stability into the South African bowling attack further providing them an extra option.

Eddie Leie: He is another leg-spinner named into the South African squad who has played just couple of T20s for his the national side. He has the potential to keep the batsmen under check as well as chip wickets.

Only time will tell the difference, as of now all eyes are etched at Dharamsala.

Twenty20 International career

Twenty20 career