India vs South Africa, India Predicted XI, 1st T20I: Will Umran Malik, Dinesh Karthik Get A Look-In?

India take on South Africa in the first game of the five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series on Thursday. The match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. India have some big names like Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma and fast-bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah missing and the T20I series will be an opportunity for a fair few to make an impression, especially looking ahead to the T20 World Cup this year in Australia. Two names that fans and everyone else concerned will be keeping a keen eye on will be Dinesh Karthik and Umran Malik. Both were exceptional in IPL 2022 and will be hoping to replicate those performances on the international stage.

KL Rahul: The stylish right-hander will be leading the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma. He had a fine IPL 2022, finishing second to Orange Cap winner Jos Buttler with 616 runs in 15 games, averaging 51.33. He will look to carry forward that form and get the job done in India colours.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: Having won the Orange Cap in IPL 2021, a lot was expected from Gaikwad this season but he had a slow start to the season. Despite failing to hit the heights of IPL 2021, the right-hander finished IPL 2022 as the top run-getter for CSK with 368 runs in 14 matches.

Shreyas Iyer: With competition at an all-time high in the Indian team, the KKR skipper really has a chance to stake a claim in the playing XI but will need a consistent run of form. He had looked in good touch in IPL 2022, scoring 401 runs but got out one too many times after getting off to starts.

Hardik Pandya: India's premier all-rounder is back and he makes his return to international cricket on the back of leading his team Gujarat Titans to the IPL title. Hardik was impressive with both the bat