IND vs SA T20I Series: BCCI has already announced the squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. After the India vs. New Zealand Test series, the Indian cricket team will fly to SA. Some big names like Subhman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will not take part in the T20I series against South Africa, as they have to prepare for the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
India is still the frontrunner to qualify for the WTC 2025 finalist. Back-to-back defeats against New Zealand make India’s WTC 2025 run difficult ahead of the Australia series. Without many first-team players, team management will have to rely on the upcoming talents like Abhishek Sharma. Tilak Varma. Rinku Singh. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, and Hardik Pandya will be there to support him.
South African surfaces are known as pace-friendly wickets. So, Indians can go for a pace-heavy starting lineup. Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan are the leading contenders to start with new ball. Along with them, Hardik Pandya can play a supportive role. If India goes for another pace option, then there will be Ramandeep Sing. Ramandeep showed his talent in the India A team. Now he may get the chance to play for the Men in Blue Brigade.
Now who to lead the spin department? Now that can be hard to choose. There will be more than one name who can make an impact with spin: Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel will be available to play T20I series against South Africa. If the team feels to field an extra allrounder, then they can go for Axar. If Axar gets his chance, then one of Varun and Ravi will have to wait his turn as a reserve bench player.
India potential T20I playing XI against SA:
Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya (all-rounder), Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh (all-rounder), Axar Patel (all-rounder), Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan.
India Squad for SA Tour:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.