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South Africa batter Aiden Markram was on Thursday ruled out of the opening T20I against India after he tested positive for COVID-19. Markram, who was a part of the recently concluded Indian Premier League, was unavailable for selection for the series opener of the five-match series, revealed captain Temba Bavuma at the toss.
Hardik Pandya is the centre of attraction after a splendid IPL 2022 season as India begin its preparations for the T20 World Cup with a five-match series against South Africa. The first match of the series is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi and there is a lot of chatter about what should be Hardik Pandya's batting position in the national team. Hardik excelled in the number 4 spot while batting for Gujarat Titans and ended the season with 413 runs, the most for the IPL champions.
With India set to take on South Africa in the first T20I of the five-match series later on Thursday, the Rishabh Pant-led side faces selection dilemma in their playing XI, especially in the bowling department. Ahead of the first game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn said that Team India must pick Jammu and Kashmir pacer Umran Malik in their playing XI. Steyn, who was part of SRH's coaching staff, getting a game or two early in the series would boost Umran's confidence and might get his rhythm going.
Graeme Smith's successor is expected to be named by the end of June, says Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Pholetsi Moseki, one of five vacant positions the organisation is scrambling to fill.
Hardik Pandya impressed all with his performance as the Gujarat Titans skipper in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. He performed both with the bat and the ball to lead his team to the title in its maiden season. In the final against Rajasthan Royals, Pandya picked 3/17 in four overs and then scored a crucial 34. The all-round performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award in the title clash. It also augured well for the Indian cricket team which will face South Africa in a five-match T20I series starting Thursday. However, Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra has said that after a long IPL, it would be wise to not put Pandya under too much pressure, right at the start.
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav had an excellent IPL 2022 for Delhi Capitals and hence he was named in India's squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa. However, on the eve of the first T20I, Kuldeep was ruled out after getting hit on his right hand while batting in the nets on Tuesday. The spinner on Thursday said that he is disappointed to miss out on the series and is looking forward to coming back stronger.
India vs South Africa, 1st T20I, Live Score Updates: The much-anticipated series opener between India and South Africa will be played on Thursday evening at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. On the eve of the match, KL Rahul was ruled out of the series due to a groin injury and hence Rishabh Pant was named the captain.