By: Aditya Ahuja
The first T20I between India and South Africa in Durban took a beating from the weather on Sunday after rain washed out the entire game, even before the toss took place. As the two teams head to Gqeberha for the second match of the series, a similar threat looms.
Both India and South Africa are looking to get some valuable practice for next year's T20 World Cup, but the second T20I might fail to offer what both teams are looking for, with an overall 78% chance of rain at the venue today.
The washout in Durban proved detrimental to India's plans of settling on a playing XI ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. With key figures like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya rested for the entirety of the T20I series against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav leads India, intending to test the young talent against the Proteas.
India faces a narrow window with just five T20Is remaining before the 2024 World Cup.
Following the South Africa series, India is set to engage in three matches against Afghanistan at home in January, serving as crucial preparatory encounters.
Notably, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and opener Shubman Gill are confirmed starters for India in today's match.
The series will culminate with the third and final T20I slated to take place in Johannesburg on Sunday.
South Africa's Squad: Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (w), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottniel Baartman, Marco Jansen, Donovan Ferreira, Lizaad Williams
India's Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav
