Uncapped KKR, RCB Stars Earn Maiden Call-up as India announce T20I Squad for South Africa Series

Uncapped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stars have been included in India’s squad for the four-match T20I series against South Africa. They have done well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) previously and rightly got the call for the series.

Ramandeep Singh, the all-rounder of KKR who played big shots in the lower order, and Vijaykumar Vyshak, the fast bowler of RCB with massive potential, have got an India call-up for the South Africa series. Other notable names in the squad are Yash Dayal and Avesh Khan, two quality speedsters.

Suryakumar Yadav will continue leading the side, with big names in the team including Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh, who have done well recently. Other batters are Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, whereas Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper batter, is a surprise inclusion.

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Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi are three spinners in the team. Axar’s inclusion is a bit weird, for he is not part of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, a format he has majorly been with the national team.

Mayank Yadav and Shivam Dube unavailable due to injury

Mayank Yadav, who recently made his T20I debut against Bangladesh, and Shivam Dube, the six-hitter, were unavailable for selection due to injuries. Both have been impressive in the shortest format in the IPL and for India.

Meanwhile, Riyan Parag, another impressive performer, was also excluded, for he is at The BCCI Centre of Excellence to treat his chronic right shoulder injury. His recent rise in the shortest format has been colossal and contributes with both bat and ball.

The squad is pretty much on expected lines, with only Vijaykumar being a surprise. Maybe the nature of decks in South Africa played a role in his selection, for he can bowl at pace and get additional bounce.

The four-match T20I series between South Africa and India starts on November 8 in Durban. The next three games will be played in the space of six days at three different venues, with the rubber concluding on November 15.

India’s squad for South Africa series: Suryakumar Kumar (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.

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