The T20 series between India and South Africa will start tomorrow 28 September. Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda haven’t been included in the Indian team. Shahbaz Ahmed and Shreyas Iyer are included in the team in their place.
Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed and batsman Shreyas Iyer are included in the squad in place of Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda for the T20I series against South Africa. According to the latest media reports, Hardik Pandya has been rested, and Deepak Hooda has not been included in the team due to stiffness in his back.
A senior source within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said “Shami has not recovered from Covid-19 and hence he is out of the South Africa series. Umesh Yadav will remain within the squad as a replacement for Shami for the African nation series.
However, when asked why Shahbaz has been picked in place of Pandya, the source said, “Is there any fast bowling all-rounder who can replace Hardik…? Raj Bawa has not much experience to incorporate within the team. That is the reason we kept him within the India A team. so he can get more experience. He needs longer to come back up. Is there another name..? Tell me. Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari will lead the remainder of the India team in the Irani Cup match against Saurashtra.
The 1st match of the three-match T20 series between India and South Africa is going to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The second match will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on October 2 and therefore the third match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on October 4. All three matches will start at 7 pm.