India announce 15-man squad for South Africa T20Is
The MSK Prasad-led selection committee has named a 15-man squad for the upcoming high-profile 3-match T20I series against South Africa. As expected, former Indian captain MS Dhoni has not been included amidst uncertainty about his future. All-rounder Hardik Pandya who was rested for the West Indies tour after a hectic schedule makes a comeback in the Indian squad.
Pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have also been rested as India continue their experimentation in the bowling department. The likes of Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar and Khaleel Ahmed will get to stake a strong claim as the 2020 T20 World Cup approaches.
Rishabh Pant will again get another chance as India’s wicketkeeper-batsman. Manish Pandey, who disappointed in the T20I series in West Indies has been given another opportunity. Shreyas Iyer, who on the other hand, was hugely impressive in the ODI series has also been included and will fight against Pandey for a middle-order spot.
India’s squad for 3 T20Is against South Africa: Virat(Capt), Rohit (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini#INDvSA
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2019
The spin department has also been refreshed with no place in the squad for either Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal. The spin quartet includes Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya, with three of them doubling up as all-rounders.
There is also no rest for senior members of the batting order like skipper Virat Kohli and openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. The 3 match series will begin on September 15 in Dharamshala and conclude on September 22 in Bangalore.
India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini
