Following the washout in the first T20I, India and South Africa will meet for the second game of the three-match series. Despite an early rain threat, the IND vs SA 2nd T20I is on. With the India playing XI announced, Ruturaj Gaiwad is noticeably absent due to illness. In his absence, the young duo of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open for the Men in Blue.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communicated via X (formerly Twitter) that Gaikwad was ill, leading to his unavailability for the second T20I. This created an opening at the No.3 position, as Shubman Gill, who had returned, was slated to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Shreyas Iyer also omitted, Tilak Varma seized the opportunity after sitting out the previous two games against Australia. However, the length and the seriousness of Gaikwad’s illness is yet to be known.
In addition to these changes, India introduced another alteration, this time in the bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav took the place of Ravi Bishnoi, who had been the player of the series winner against Australia.
India playing XI for IND vs SA 2nd T20I:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
