Lagatar24 Desk
Durban: As India gears up to face South Africa in the first T20I on November 8, excitement surrounds the possibility of new talents stepping into the spotlight. Among them, 29-year-old all-rounder Ramandeep Singh is poised for his senior debut. Known for his explosive lower-order batting and effective bowling, Ramandeep has gained attention through standout performances in both the IPL and domestic cricket.
A key figure in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) victorious 2024 IPL season, Ramandeep demonstrated his finishing prowess and reliability with the ball. His impressive outings in the Emerging Asia Cup for India A earned him a call-up to the senior team. His versatility could be crucial for India, especially in the absence of Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag, who are out due to injuries.
Another debutant in the spotlight is 27-year-old medium pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak, whose consistent performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and in the Duleep Trophy have secured him a spot. Renowned for his accuracy under pressure, Vyshak might face stiff competition in making the XI, considering India’s existing pace arsenal, including Arshdeep Singh and Yash Dayal.
Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, the Indian team aims to showcase fresh talent and tactical flexibility. The inclusion of Ramandeep and others could add depth and dynamism to India’s lineup as they kick off the series.
Predicted XIs for the 1st T20I
India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal
or
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Tilak Verma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Patrick Kruger, Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj
