IND VS SA T20I series: The first match of the five-match T20I series between KL Rahul-led India and Temba Bavuma-led South Africa will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on June 9. IND VS SA T20I series: Dinesh Karthik out Rishabh Pant enters.
Former India National Cricket Team head coach Ravi Shastri picked his India playing XI for the first match of the five-match T20I series against South Africa and he didn’t include Dinesh Karthik and Venkatesh Iyer in his team. Dinesh Karthik had a splendid outing in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), impressing most with his finishing abilities.
The out-of-favour wicketkeeper-batter rescued Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) out of many dangerous situations and in few occasions he ensured his franchise imposes a substantial target for the opposition. Batting at a strike-rate of 183.33, Karthik amassed 330 runs from 16 encounters.
Such was his impact that the batter was included in the India squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, starting from June 9. During an interaction on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Shastri picked Ruturaj Gaikwad as KL Rahul’s opening partner for the 1st T20I and he slotted Ishan Kishan at No.3.
Shastri stated: “I think they will go with the guys they will want to see first – the Rahuls, the Ruturaj Gaikwads – maybe they will open. They will probably give Ishan (Kishan) a break in this game or bat him at three.” The former India head coach picked Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya as his next three batters.
He said: “If you bat him (Ishan) at three, then it will be Shreyas (Iyer) at No. 4, (Rishabh) Pant at No. 5 and Hardik (Pandya) at No. 6.” Former India head coach picked spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel at No.7 and named Yuzvendra Chahal as his spin-bowling partner.
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He further added Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel to the team as pacers and said that amongst the newcomers Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik one will play depending on the conditions.
Ravi Shastri’s India XI for the 1st T20I:
KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh/Umran Malik, Harshal Patel.
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