"There might be a choice between Axar and Washington" - Zaheer Khan's huge take on Team India's playing XI for IND vs SA 2025 T20Is

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan believes Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy will be sure starters for the side in T20Is heading into the World Cup next year. Zaheer feels the third spinner spot could be a toss-up between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

Both Sundar and Axar played in the final few games of India's most recent T20I series in Australia. However, Kuldeep Yadav returned home early to prepare for the home Test series against South Africa, allowing India to play both their spin-bowling all-rounders.

Talking about India's playing XI for the upcoming South African series, Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz (24:03):

"Playing 11 with regard to this format is pretty much there. Hardik is back so that's going to change the balance. Axar is an automatic choice. Kuldeep and Varun Chakaravarthy will play for sure. Maybe there might be a choice between Axar and Washington."

Zaheer believes the South African series should offer clarity on India's wicketkeeping choice between Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma.

"With regards to batting, they would want to continue with Shubman opening from the previous series. Which means Jitesh Sharma comes in or you continue with Sanju Samson in the middle order. That's the call they'll have to make because it's so close to the World Cup now that they will need that clarity. You can't keep changing your mind on that so that one big clarity they'll seek from this series," he stated.

"Other than that, it's a very stable unit. The emphasis is on strike rate so you'll see that brand of cricket from the Indian team for sure, where they look to go all-out in the first six overs and carry the momentum from there," Zaheer added.

While Samson had been in the Indian T20I XI from the middle of last year, Jitesh took the wicketkeeper role in the final three games of the recent Australian tour.

Zaheer Khan picks X-factor players from India and South Africa for the T20I series

Zaheer Khan picked young opener Abhishek Sharma to be the X-factor player for India in the upcoming South African T20I series. The southpaw has been in red-hot T20I form this year, averaging over 47 at a strike rate of 196.36 in 17 outings.

Ranked No. 1 in the latest T20I batter rankings, Abhishek has continued his brilliant form in the ongoing 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), averaging over 50 at a strike rate of 249.18.

Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan went for experience in the form of Aiden Markram as South Africa's X-factor player for the series.

The all-important five-match T20I series will begin in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.