SA vs IND: India playing XI vs South Africa, 1st T20I, 2023 – Predicted

India will take on South Africa in the first T20I game on Sunday in Durban.

After winning the five-match T20I series 4-1 against Australia, team India will lock horns with South Africa in a multi-format series. It will start with a three-match T20I series. But this will be more competitive as Proteas have some of their big guns on the squad. But India will be confident after the win against Australia.

They will look to do well in South African conditions as well. Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and a few more players return to the squad, which will give them a boost. Here we will talk about the predicted playing XI for India for the first game against South Africa.

SA vs IND: India’s Predicted playing XI vs South Africa

1. Shubman Gill:

Shubman Gill will be back in business and will be the first-choice opener in the squad. The right-hander was on break for Australia series and will look to make an impact in the shorter format. Gill is likely to open in the T20 World Cup 2024, and this will be a good test for him in South Africa.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal :

There will be a toss between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad for the second opening slot. But with Gaikwad and Gill being the same kind of batters, Jaiswal might get an edge. The southpaw played with an attacking template against Australia throughout the series and was pretty successful. He will be looking to carry on and make some quick runs at the top.

3. Shreyas Iyer :

Shreyas Iyer is likely to bat at No. 3. He smashed an important half-century in the final T20I game against Australia, which made the difference. He will be looking to do in South Africa and come over his problems against the short ball. If he can do well here, there are big chances that he will be in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

4. Suryakumar Yadav (c):

The stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav will be a key player in the middle-order for India. His presence at the crease will be an assurance for the team. He can play his unconventional shots in South Africa, where he can hit through the line. Hence, Indian captain will enjoy batting here, and the team will expect him to do well as a captain.

5. Ishan Kishan (Wk) :

Ishan Kishan will be India’s wicket-keeper for the first game. The experienced left-hander is in good form and scored two half-centuries in the three games he played against Australia. But playing in South Africa will be a different challenge. However, he will enjoy batting here and can create a big impact with his strokeplay in the first game.

6. Rinku Singh :

Rinku Singh will be the player to watch out for. He did well in the two T20Is played in Ireland, and it will be worth watching how he will bat in South Africa. Rinku is a dynamic batter who likes to play according to the situation. So far, he has done a great job for India, and the team will hope that he can continue his good form.

7. Ravindra Jadeja :

Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is back with the side and will play a key role in the upcoming series against South Africa. He is among the first-choice players for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Hence, this series will be very important for him. He can do well with both bat and ball, which will be expected of him.

8. Ravi Bishnoi :

Man of the series from the five-match T20I series against Australia, Ravi Bishnoi, will be the player to watch out for once again. The leg spinner is pretty different from other bowlers and can turn the ball on any surface. It is hard to score of him, which puts pressure on the opposition. Hence, South Africa will have to be worried about him.

9. Arshdeep Singh :

Arshdeep Singh didn’t make many big contributions in the five-match T20I series against Australia until the last over against Matthew Wade, where he defended 10 runs for India and helped India win the series. The left-arm pacer will enjoy bowling at Durban because of the conditions offered here. The overcast conditions will also help him swing the ball and trouble the batters.

10. Mohammed Siraj :

Mohammed Siraj will be back in the squad for the shorter format. Siraj has been India’s leading pacer for the past year or so across formats. But he needs some gametime in T20Is, and this will be a great series for him ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. He is an improved T20I bowler and will be pretty lethal with the new ball on Sunday.

11. Mukesh Kumar :

Mukesh Kumar is part of all three squads for South Africa tour. He had a decent outing against Australia and will be bowling some hard overs during the middle and death. He bowled some great yorkers in the last series, and that’s what is expected to do and take some wickets for India.

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.