India vs South Africa 1st T20I, India Predicted XI: Who Will Replace Rested Hardik Pandya In The Playing XI?

After a 2-1 T20I series win over Australia at home, India host South Africa in the white-ball formats. The teams start with a three-T20I series which will be followed by an ODI series of as many matches. With the series against the Proteas being India's last T20 assignment before the T20 World Cup in Australia, Rohit Sharma and company will try to put their best foot forward in the matches. Playing against South Africa, the number 3 ranked T20I side, will definitely test the preparation of the Indian team. However, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit would be happy with it.

Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been rested for the series, while the participation of some more Indian players also seems skeptical due to fitness issues.

Here is what we think could be India's playing XI in the first T20I vs South Africa:

Rohit Sharma (Captain): The India captain is in good form. He played a handy knock of 46 not out against Australia in the second T20I. He remains the key for India's quick starts.

KL Rahul (vice-captain): The right-handed batter started the recently-concluded series against Australia with an impressive fifty but failed to maintain consistency and returned scores of 10 and 1 in the rest two matches.

Virat Kohli: The batter is finally back in his groove. While the Asia Cup saw Kohli racing to his 71st international century -- a ton that came after almost 3 years - the series against Australia saw him scoring a match-winning 63 in the last game.

Suryakumar Yadav: The right-hander continues to prove his mettle as a 360-degree player. He scored 46 against Australia in the first T20I and a sensational 69 in the last game.

Dinesh Karthik (wk): Comes another set of matches and Dinesh Karthik is still not