Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared his predicted playing XI for India ahead of the first T20I of their four-match series against South Africa, set to take place at Kingsmead, Durban, on Friday. This will be India’s first T20I against the Proteas since their victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on June 29.
On his YouTube channel, Chopra discussed India’s batting line-up, addressing the potential inclusion of Tilak Varma or Rinku Singh at No. 4. “If you decide to play Tilak Varma, he should bat at No. 4 since Nitish Kumar Reddy isn’t in the squad, and you need depth in your batting,” Chopra explained.
He suggested that one of Rinku Singh or Tilak Varma would likely occupy the crucial No. 4 spot in the order. Chopra’s predicted XI for the match includes Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Suryakumar Yadav in the top order. He expects either Tilak Varma or Rinku Singh to follow at No. 4, with Hardik Pandya coming in at No. 5, and the remaining batter completing the top six.
The four-match series begins on November 8 at Kingsmead in Durban, followed by matches at St George’s Park in Gqeberha (November 10), SuperSport Park in Centurion (November 13), and the final T20I at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on November 15.
India’s T20I squad includes: Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, and Yash Dayal.
South Africa’s squad for the series comprises: Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, and Tristan Stubbs.
