5 players who can bat at no. 3 if Virat Kohli is not available for South Africa series

After the conclusion of the Indian T20 League 2022, team India will be playing a five-match T20 series against South Africa at home. As per the reports, senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah etc. will be rested for the series as they will be departing for England to play 1 Tests, 3 T20s and as many one-day internationals on 15th June 2022.

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With the 20-20 World Cup going to be held this year, the team management selection committee will be having a keen look at the performances of a lot of players in both the upcoming series. India will come up with a different set of batsmen, involving a lot of young players against South Africa.

Shikhar Dhawan and Ishan Kishan are likely to open the batting but who bats at number three remains to be seen. Given that Virat Kohli will be in England, the team would be giving someone else a chance to bat at number three against South Africa. On that note, we take a look at five players who can bat number 3 if Virat Kohli is not available for South Africa series.

1. Rahul Tripathi

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Rahul Tripathi’s record is Indian T20 League is quite outstanding in the last few years. He played impactful knocks for Kolkata last year and has done a great job for Hyderabad in the ongoing season. Tripathi’s ability to attack the opposition bowlers right from the onset makes him a valuable asset in T20 cricket. Besides, he is a brilliant fielder.

In the ongoing edition of the Indian T20 League, he is currently the highest run-getter for Hyderabad. In 13 matches, Rahul Tripathi has 393 runs to his name at a strike rate of 161.73. He has been knocking the doors of the selectors and might get a chance to showcase his mettle against South Africa.

2. Tilak Varma

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Playing his debut season for Mumbai in the ongoing edition of the Indian T20 League, Tilak Varma showed why he is rated so highly by the cricket experts. At just 19 years of age, Varma has showed great temperament and consistency in the cash-rich league.

Despite wickets falling at the top, he carried the team to competitive scores by playing valuable knocks in the middle-order. Tilak Varma has scored the most runs for Mumbai this season and is already touted as the future captain of the franchise.

3. Deepak Hooda

Since making his debut for the Indian Cricket Team on 6^th February 2022, Hooda has looked a completely different batsman. He is playing for Lucknow in the ongoing edition of the Indian T20 League and has been batting with a lot more maturity.

He is taking on the responsibility and converting the starts into big scores. Hooda has played some valuable knocks for Lucknow this season. In 13 matches, he has 406 runs at a strike rate of 133.55.

4. Sanju Samson

There is no denying the fact that Sanju Samson is one of the most gifted batsmen in Indian Cricket. His effortless stroke-making makes him a great T20 player. He had a great season with the bat in the last edition of the Indian T20 League and has scored 359 runs in the ongoing edition of the tournament. If Virat Kohli is not available, then Sanju Samson deserves to bat at number three in the batting unit.

5. Devdutt Padikkal

In the ongoing season of Indian T20 League, Devdutt Padikkal hasn’t got the opportunity to open the innings. However, he has shown that he can bat in the middle-order or at number three as well. Turning up for Rajasthan, Devdutt Padikkal has played some valuable knocks for the team.

In 13 matches, he has scored 334 runs at a strike rate and average of 130 and 25.69. He could also be given a chance to bat at three against South Africa.