IND vs SA: 5 New Players Who Can Be Added To India's Squad vs South Africa

India will play a five-match T20I series against South Africa immediately after the end of IPL 2022. The series starts within 10 days of the completion of the ongoing IPL season. The IND vs SA five-match series will be played from June 9 to 19 across five venues. The series will be very much a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia.

The IND vs SA five-match T20I series will begin on June 9 in Delhi and the remaining games will be held in Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Bengaluru respectively. The senior players in the squad namely, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant are expected to be rested for the series. 

“All the senior India players will get at least three and half weeks of complete rest. Rohit, Virat, KL, Rishabh, and Jasprit will all directly go to England for the ‘fifth Test’ following the white-ball series. We need all our key players to remain fresh for the England series,” a senior BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

This opens up plenty of opportunities for youngsters to get a look at the T20I series. The BCCI and the selection committee can look at these five players and include them while naming the Indian squad for the series.

IND vs SA: 5 New Players Who Can Be Added To India’s Squad vs South Africa

Tilak Varma 

The southpaw has been MI’s highest run-scorer in the season. He has scored 368 runs in 12 matches with two fifties to his name. He can bat at number three or four in the middle order and can anchor the innings. Rohit Sharma has already spoken about Tilak being one of the future stars of Indian cricket. It is only fair that he is given his chance in the upcoming series. 

Also Read: IND vs SA: Tilak Varma, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh Likely To Get India T20I Call-Up For South Africa Series – Reports

Ruturaj Gaikwad 

After a string of poor scores, Gaikwad has picked up his scoring rate for Chennai Super Kings. He has scored 366 runs in 12 matches this season so far and can be tried as an opener in the absence of Rohit Sharma. The right-hander can open alongside Shikhar Dhawan who is expected to be included in the series.

Umran Malik 

Malik has been the find of the IPL this season. He was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad after IPL 2021 and he has blossomed this season. He has bowled with consistent pace and fire and has grabbed the eyeballs of all the commentators this season. Everyone has given their advice on how he can be fast-tracked into the Indian team and the series against South Africa will be his golden opportunity.

Arshdeep Singh 

The Punjab Kings pacer has been the best death bowler in IPL 2022. He has conceded the least number of sixes in this IPL so far. With all the big boys to be rested, Singh can rise to the challenge as he has proved in this IPL season. He has picked up 7 wickets so far this season. 

Avesh Khan 

The LSG pacer is another good option who can be added to the Indian T20 squad for the South Africa series. He has impressed one and all with his consistent bowling throughout the season. So far this season he has picked up 17 wickets and will be a good value addition to the squad.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya In Line To Lead India In T20I Series vs South Africa; Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah To Be Rested – Reports