Sandwiched between India’s embarrassing Test series loss and the all-important BGT is the four T20Is between South Africa and Team India. India currently operate with two sides, with their T20 setup predominantly features young superstars with high ceiling of potential. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 World Cup 2024 champions will enter this bilateral series against South Africa as favourites. They recently beat Bangladesh 3-0, with Sanju Samson hammering a fiery ton.
India will miss the services of Mayank Yadav, Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube, who are out due to injuries. Meanwhile, it is highly likely that all of Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal will receive their maiden T20I caps during the course of the series.
Star-studded Indian top-order ft. Samson, Suryakumar
Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India have experimented with the top order. However, with the duo of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal currently with the Indian Test team, Samson and Abhishek Sharma will continue at top of the order.
It will be a crucial series for Abhishek, who showcased immense talent during the IPL 2024. But since then, he has slowed down a bit. In fact, he averages just 22.71 in the 7 innings he has played since the IPL 2024. Mind you, he even hit a hundred in this period. Regardless, South Africa could be a great place where the southpaw can score a plenty. As for Samson, he would love to continue where he let off against Bangladesh.
Who will replace Nitish Kumar Reddy?
At number will obviously be Suryakumar Yadav. The Indian T20I skipper has been leading from the front, with 403 runs at a strike rate of 159.28, which is the most since the IPL 2024 for India. The Men in Blue played Nitish Kumar Reddy in the last T20I series against BAN at number four. However, with him not being available, Tilak Varma is expected to slot in. He led India A during the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup. Varma, despite not renowned for his bowling, can also roll his arm over. In the 87 T20 matches, the MI 2025 retained player has 2,575 and 8 wickets at an economy of 7.30.
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Hardik Pandya in action, Ramandeep Singh to make debut?
At number five and six are Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh, respectively. The two are designated finishers of the Indian team and won’t sit out in the series opener. Pandya has found a new mojo ever since IPL 2024, having made 293 at an amazing average and SR of 48.83 and 175.44, respectively. Rinku Singh, meanwhile, would be buoyed after his top retention at KKR for Rs 13 crore. Rinku has made 217 runs at an immaculate average and SR of 54.25 and 169.53 so far this year in T20Is.
India could easily bring a new face on the table in the form of Ramandeep Singh. The management likes to have multi-faceted players and Ramandeep is one of them. He is a proper striker of a cricket ball, and can even bowl those medium pace. As now may know as well, he is retained by KKR for Rs 4 crore. But the 27-year-old can soon be a capped player. In 57 T20s, he has hammered 544 runs at a SR of 170.00.
What about bowling unit? ft. Axar Patel
Till now, we have covered seven players, out of whom four are proper all-rounders. At number eight is Axar Patel, the star of the T20 World Cup Final. He isn’t selected for the BGT and hence is part of the T20I setup currently. This year, Patel has 17 wickets and 102 runs. His mastery in left-arm spin will try to keep the hard-hitting Protea batters at bay.
The second spin choice will be up for a toss as both Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi have impressed. It was a toss up in the recent Bangladesh T20Is as well but India went ahead with Chakravarthy, who claimed 5 at an incredible economy rate of 6.08. He is that mystery bowler who can really trouble the hosts. Given he was preferred over Bishnoi in the last series, we think he will be picked once again. As for Bishnoi, he is a top-class talent as well, having taken 17 wickets at an economy of 7.58 so far this year in T20Is.
Arshdeep Singh, who is expected to attract a lot of bids at the IPL 2025 auction, will undoubtedly spearhead the Indian pace bowling lineup. He is already one of the leading wicket-takers in the Indian T20I history and can even complete the 100-wicket mark in the series itself. Arshdeep’s presence would mean that Yash Dayal might have to wait for his opportunity. Similarly, with Avesh Khan being in the squad, he is likely to keep Vijaykumar Vyshak away. As for Avesh, he last played for India during the tour of Zimbabwe, where he did well, taking six wickets in three innings.
Predicted India Playing XI: SA vs IND 1st T20I
1. Sanju Samson
2. Abhishek Sharma
3. Suryakumar Yadav
4. Tilak Varma
5. Hardik Pandya
6. Rinku Singh
7. Ramandeep Singh
8. Axar Patel
9. Varun Chakravarthy/Ravi Bishnoi
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Avesh Khan
Team India squad for T20Is vs South Africa
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.
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