India Playing XI vs SouthAfrica: Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh return, Bumrah, Chahal miss out

India Playing XI vs SouthAfrica: IND vs SA LIVE Streaming – Rohit Sharma will have to nurse a selection headache as the Indian captain picks his XI for the IND vs SA 1st T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. With Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar rested, the likes of Rishabh Pant and others are in contention in what is the final run of games heading into the T20 World Cup. Follow India vs South Africa live updates on Insidesport.IN

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(w), Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

India Playing XI vs SouthAfrica: Bumrah out with an injury, Chahal rested as Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh & R Ashwin return- Follow live

Rohit Sharma said, “We’re going to field first. Looks like there’s a bit of grass cover there. When we played here the last time, it was a good wicket. Apart from the first three overs. It should be a good batting track. It’s important to keep the momentum in this format. We’ve been playing some good cricket and want to continue to do that. It’s a very healthy atmosphere in the group and we want to maintain that for a longer period of time. We understand the importance of it and want to win games.”

“At the same time, we want to make sure that we tick all the boxes. This series gives another perfect opportunity to fine tune whatever is required from the team’s perpespective. We want to give chances to others. Arshdeep and Rishabh are back for Hardik and Bhuvi, who are rested. Deepak Chahar also comes in place of Bumrah because he had a niggle in the morning. Yuzi Chahal misses out, Ashwin comes in. Whenever we come here, it’s a fantastic atmosphere and hopefully, we can put on a good show for the crowd tonight,” he added.

India Playing XI vs SouthAfrica: Bumrah out with an injury, Chahal rested as Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh & R Ashwin return- Follow live

Also Read: IND vs SA T20 Series: Setback for India as Hooda, Shami ruled out of SA Series, Hardik Pandya rested as Shreyas Iyer, Shahbaz Ahmed included in INDIA T20 Squad: Follow LIVE Updates

India Playing XI vs SouthAfrica: Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh set to return in final T20 WC audition as India lose Shami, Hooda to injury – Follow live

IND Playing XI: Rohit Sharma will have to make some difficult calls when he names the Playing for the India vs South Africa 1st T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. India are without Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda, with the former rested while the latter has been ruled out due to injury. With both Indian all-rounders unavailable, Rohit Sharma will have to tinker with his combination. India can opt for just five bowlers, or opt for an extra bowling all-round option.

Should India opt for the 6+5 option, Rishabh Pant will slot into the side in place of Hardik Pandya. Rishabh had featured in the Asia Cup against Hong Kong when Hardik was rested. The wicket-keeper’s inclusion would mean that India just field five bowlers, with Axar Patel being the all-round option.

With this being the final run of games before the T20 World Cup, the team management would be keen to give Rishabh Pant a run of games before the trip to Australia. Pant has lost his place to Dinesh Kartik recently but could force his way back with a couple of valuable knocks.

India Playing XI vs SouthAfrica: Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh set to return in final T20 WC audition as India lose Shami, Hooda to injury – Follow live

Alongside Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh is primed to return with Bhuvneshwar Kumar resting for the series. Arshdeep missed the three games against Australia, where India struggled with bowling at the death. The 23-year-old left-armer could ease some of those concerns and make his case for the first XI.

India also have the option of drafting in Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar into the line-up. Both players are named in the squad for the South Africa with the former named as a replacement for Deepak Hooda. Iyer and Chahar are both named as standby players for the World Cup and could feature in the series. Shahbaz Ahmed is also drafted into the team, but is set to remain an understudy to Axar Patel.

Should India opt for an extra bowling option, Deepak Chahar or Shahbaz Ahmed could feature at No.7 with Axar Patel and Dinesh Karthik moving a place ahead in the batting order. While that could give bowling depth to India, it will deplete their batting reserves despite the presence of options of Harshal Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin.