IPL 2022 stars Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh selected for South Africa T20s

India selectors handed fast bowler Umran Malik and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh their maiden call-ups to the national team for the T20 series against South Africa on Sunday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's 22-year-old pacer Malik was expected to get selected soon after a standout season in IPL where he regularly clocked speeds well in excess of 150kph, with a best of 157kph, and picked up 21 wickets from 13 games including a five-wicket haul. While Malik's economy in some games was over 10 runs an over, his wicket-taking abilities in the middle overs and incredible pace made him a near certainty.

Singh was also rewarded for consistent performances this season after the Punjab Kings quick emerged as the most economical seam bowler in the competition - ahead of even Jasprit Bumrah, with an economy of 7.31 in overs 16 to 20.

There were a number of young faces in the T20 squad after the selectors decided to rest captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Bumrah.

Delighted to see Avesh, Arshdeep & Umran Malik in the squad; and to think that Khaleel & Mohsin could have made the cut too; Good that the skills of Dinesh Karthik & Bhuvi have been recognised. Going to be tough on KL Rahul & Rishabh. Thought they might go straight to the test.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the side after impressing with his batting, bowling and leadership at Gujarat Titans in IPL. Also back in the team is wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who proved his mettle as a power hitter this season.

KL Rahul was named captain of the team that also includes Ruturaj Gaikwad, who showed good form with Chennai Super Kings and is being seen as a future all-format top-order batsman. The five-match T20 series against South Africa begins in New Delhi on June 9.

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