SA vs IND 2018: JP Duminy to Captain South Africa in T20I Series Against India

Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced their T20I squad for the three matches against India.

JP Duminy is slated to lead the side for the series. Christian Jonker and Junior Dala have been included to the team on the back of some impressive performances in the Ram-Slam Challenge.

Reeza Hendricks also got included for the same reason. He amassed the most number of runs in the recently concluded tournament. Klaasen has also retained his place in the squad. Linda Zondo reaffirmed the decision after his performance in the Pink ODI.

“Christiaan Jonker has been one of the most explosive finishers in domestic T20 cricket in recent seasons and his selection, together with that of Junior Dala, gives players who have performed well at franchise level the opportunity to show that they can compete at the highest level,” claimed CSA National Selection Panel Convener, Linda Zondo according to Cricbuzz.

“Heinrich Klaasen’s recent performance speaks for itself. Reeza Hendricks gets another opportunity for the same reason, having been the highest runs scorer in this season’s RAM SLAM Challenge,” asserted Zondo.

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The likes of Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Kagiso Rabada and others have been given rest. Looking at the upcoming Test series against Australian starting later this February most of the bowlers have been rested.

With the amount of international missed out off-late, AB de Villiers will feature in the three-match T20I series.

“With the Sunfoil Test Series against Australia starting only 5 days after the completion of the T20 Series it is necessary for us to rest some of the players who have featured in virtually all our international matches so far this summer. These include Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram among the batsmen as well as most of our frontline fast bowlers,” further added Zondo.

“AB de Villiers has missed quite a lot of cricket this summer so he will play in the T20 Series,” says Zondo explaining the decision.

Furthermore, Imran Tahir gets a break while spinners Phangiso and Shamzi have been provided with some more game time.

“We have also decided to give Imran Tahir a break. He remains our first-choice spin bowler in both white ball formats. But we need to give more game time to Tabraiz Shamsi and Aaron Phangiso,” concluded Zondo.

South Africa T20 squad:

JP Duminy (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, AB de Villiers, Reeza Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts.

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