SA vs IND: Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for T20I series against South Africa - Predicted

The SA vs IND T20I series will get underway on November 8 in Durban.

While the Indian test team have suffered a shambolic home series defeat to New Zealand, the T20I side, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is high on confidence as they travel to South Africa for a four-match T20I series.

The SA vs IND T20I series will begin on November 8 and conclude on November 15. The four T20Is will be played in Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion and Johannesburg. All four of these venues have good batting surfaces in white-ball cricket with some assistance for pacers.

Under Suryakumar Yadav, India have whitewashed Sri Lanka and Bangladesh 3-0 each in the T20I series. An away series in South Africa, though, will prove to be the toughest challenge for a young team. There are three uncapped players in India’s squad.

Several senior and multi-format players are absent from the SA vs IND T20I series as they are part of the India and India A squads for the Australia tour.

Let us see the probable XI for India for the SA vs IND T20I series.

SA vs IND: Indian Cricket Team playing 11 for T20I series against South Africa – Predicted

1. Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma hit his maiden T20I century in Zimbabwe but had a dismal series against Bangladesh, managing 35 runs in three outings. Sharma is an ultra-aggressive opener and his intent suits aptly to the modern Indian T20I team.

The left-hander is also a handy spin option. This SA vs IND series is crucial for Abhishek as he needs a good score to maintain his place in the T20I squad.

2. Sanju Samson (wk)

In the Hyderabad T20I against Bangladesh, Samson cracked his maiden T20I century. His 111-run knock off 47 balls helped India pile up 297 runs and win by 133 runs.

Samson is finally delivering consistently and could cement his place in the T20I side. Against Bangladesh, he finished with 150 runs at a strike rate of 205!

3. Suryakumar Yadav (C)

Despite being given the captaincy responsibility, Suryakumar Yadav has not lowered his intent at all. Against Bangladesh, he smashed 112 runs at a strike rate of 189 with one fifty.

The Indian cricket team have won both T20I series since Suryakumar took over the full-time captaincy role.

4. Tilak Varma

Young left-hander Tilak Varma had replaced the injured Shivam Dube for the Bangladesh series. With Dube still injured, Varma has retained his spot.

Tilak has played 16 T20Is for India so far, in which he averages 33 and has a strike rate of 139. The left-hander has hit two T20I fifties.

5. Hardik Pandya

After a dismal Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Pandya bounced back superbly. He delivered match-winning performances for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and recently bagged the Man of the Series award against Bangladesh.

Against Bangladesh, Pandya thumped 118 runs at a staggering strike rate of 222 and snared one wicket.

6. Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh notched up his third T20I fifty in the second T20I against Bangladesh in Delhi, smashing 53 runs off 29 balls coming in after India had suffered early blows.

Rinku has emerged as India’s designated finisher in T20 cricket. In 26 T20Is, he averages 59 with a strike rate of 175.

7. Axar Patel

Axar Patel will mark his return to the T20I side. A crucial member of the T20 World Cup winning team, Axar was rested from the T20Is against Bangladesh due to being part of the test squad for the home season.

Since he’s not been picked for the Australia test series, Axar has been named in the T20I squad to tour South Africa. With no Washington Sundar either, Axar is expected to slot in the XI straightaway.

8. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh has emerged as the Indian cricket team’s second-best T20I pacer, after Jasprit Bumrah. He’s having a great year in T20Is: among bowlers of Full Member nations, Arshdeep is the fourth-highest T20I wicket-taker in 2024 so far.

Against Bangladesh, he took four wickets in two outings.

9. Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy marked a terrific comeback to the T20I side after over three years as he snared five wickets against Bangladesh in three matches while maintaining a tidy economy of 6.08.

With India building for the T20 World Cup 2026, Chakaravarthy could play a crucial role in the side.

10. Yash Dayal

Yash Dayal could get to make his T20I debut in South Africa after having an impressive IPL season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In IPL 2024, Dayal picked up 15 wickets, helping RCB qualify for the playoffs.

RCB have retained Dayal for IPL 2025 while releasing senior seamer Mohammed Siraj.

11. Avesh Khan

Avesh Khan has been recalled in the T20I side. He played against Zimbabwe in July but missed out on opportunities in Sri Lanka and against Bangladesh.

Avesh is one of the fastest bowlers in the country. He has picked up 25 wickets in 23 T20Is but needs to work on his economy rate which currently is 9.06.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.