Last Update on: September 12th, 2022 at 01:49 pm
India take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series starting with the first game on September 28 in Thiruvananthapuram. The next two T20Is will be played in Guwahati (October 2) and Indore (October 4). The T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series with matches to be played in Lucknow (October 6), Ranchi (October 9) and Delhi (October 11).
India hosted the Proteas for a five-match T20I series earlier this year. Temba Bavuma led South Africa while Rishabh Pant led India. The series ended at 2-2 with the decider in Bengaluru washed away due to rain.
The Men in Blue are yet to beat South Africa in a bilateral T20I series at home since 2018. After a disappointing Asia Cup campaign, the Men in Blue get another chance at figuring out their best possible playing XI before the T20 World Cup in Australia. This series followed by the T20I series against Australia at home is all the time that the management has to zero down on players they want to select for the T20 World Cup.
Cricket South Africa has already announced strong ODI and T20I squads for the visitors. Temba Bavuma will lead the contingent when they travel to India. The series will be important for their World Cup preparations as well.
As far as India is concerned, the management is yet to announce the squads for the home series. One expects the squad to be similar to that of the T20 World subject to the availability and fitness of players.
Ravindra Jadeja’s untimely injury has disrupted the combination for India heading into the World Cup. The management will need to address the issue as and when they announce the squads. Meanwhile, in this article, we predict India’s likely 15-member squad for the South Africa T20I series.
IND vs SA: India Squad For South Africa T20Is (Predicted)
Batsmen: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav
Kohli, Rahul and Rohit all scored runs in the Asia Cup and look in good touch. All of the three premier batters look to have found their form and rhythm back ahead of the South Africa series and the T20 World Cup. Kohli’s form has been India’s biggest gain from the Asia Cup and in the next two bilateral series he would like to score big runs and get into the habit of scoring runs consistently.
Kohli finally broke his century drought after 1020 days scoring a brilliant unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan. Rahul also scored 62 in the same game while Rohit scored a brilliant 72 in the game against Pakistan. All of India wish that the three batters continue their form till the World Cup.
