How India could line up in the first T20I against South Africa

After securing the top spot in the Test and ODI rankings, the Indian cricket team will be keeping an eagle eye on the T20I rankings as well to accomplish a dream 1-1-1 in international cricket. The final phase of the South Africa tour, the three-match T20I series, kicks off on 18th February (Sunday) where the visitors will be looking to make up for their series loss at home in 2015.

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#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's selection is a no-brainer, having scored the joint-fastest T20I century, against Sri Lanka recently. Murmurs regarding his axing following a poor run of form in the ODI series were vanquished with a fighting ton in the fifth game.

#2 KL Rahul

Leaving aside an in-form Shikhar Dhawan seems contentious, but going by the 'recent form' approach of the team-management, KL Rahul might get a nod ahead of the left-hander. The Karnataka cricketer has transformed into a ferocious T20 batsman and recently scored 154 runs in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, striking at over 145 runs per hundred balls.

#3 Virat Kohli (c)

Currently the most consistent international batsman, Virat Kohli could turn out to be the difference between the two sides in the upcoming T20I series. The only batsman to average 50+ in all formats of the game, the 29-year-old is the backbone of the Indian batting line-up and takes delight in leading from the front.

#4 Manish Pandey

In the limited opportunities he has received in the recent past, Manish Pandey has performed reasonably well in the shortest format of the game. He was in pleasant touch in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old helped India post a decent total in the first game while he was the top-scorer for India in the third match.

#5 Suresh Raina

Considering India's middle-order woes and his recent performances, Suresh Raina might slot right into the side in the T20I series. In the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the southpaw finished as the leading run-scorer with 259 runs, including a knock of 126 runs off 59 balls against Bengal.

Furthermore, he can be the much-needed sixth bowling option for Kohli.

#6 MS Dhoni (wk)

The Indian wicket-keeper, who batted at no.4 in the last T20I series, is likely to slip down to his original spot considering the return of Virat Kohli, who was not in the squad previously, and the presumed comeback of Suresh Raina. However, changing the batting order is possible depending on the circumstances, especially in the shortest format.

#7 Hardik Pandya

The Indian team management has planned to invest heavily in Hardik Pandya, who is a rare breed in the country, and he is likely to be an integral part of the team looking ahead to the World Cup. His bowling has been impressive of late, picking up AB de Villiers' wicket on two occasions in the ODI series.

He also picked up six wickets in three matches against Sri Lanka. The 24-year-old's batting has been a concern though and he will be looking to turn the tables this time around.

#8 Kuldeep Yadav

The Chinaman has been outstanding in the ODI series and will be looking to extend his golden run in T20Is as well. The South African batsmen have struggled to read Kuldeep Yadav thus far although the way they manhandled him in the rain-curtailed fourth ODI might act as a ray of hope for the Proteas.

#9 Yuzvendra Chahal

The modern-day T20 specialist, Yuzvendra Chahal isn't naturally gifted like his spin-twin, but his crafty bowling has made him an important part of the Indian set-up. A major tournament like the IPL has turned him into a well-seasoned leggie, who is now a go-to man for Kohli on the biggest stage. The 27-year-old would want to continue his sublime form, having already grabbed a 6-wicket haul in his brief T20 international career so far.

#10 Jasprit Bumrah

Since making his debut in Australia a couple of years ago, Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as the backbone of India's pace-attack in a considerably short period. He has all the ingredients to be a great fast bowler, including pace, skill and a smart head on his shoulders. In the upcoming T20I series, the 24-year-old will take a shot at regaining the no.1 spot in the rankings.

#11 Jaydev Unadkat

An underrated performer over the years in the domestic circuit, Jaydev Unadkat brought home the bacon with a well-deserved national call-up followed by an INR 11.5 crore IPL contract. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the last IPL season. Since his international comeback, the 26-year-old has grabbed his opportunities and might get a longer rope at the highest level.