KL Rahul to lead team India in T20 series against South Africa

BCCI on Sunday announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming 5-match T20I series against South Africa.

The deputy of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul will lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma who has been rested along with senior members, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. While Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain of the team.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik and all-rounder Hardik Pandya make comebacks to the squad while the speedster Umran Malik and the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh receive their maiden call-up.

Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, as well as all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer managed to retain their place in the squad despite modest performances in IPL 2022.

Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Deepak Hooda, who has been slowly developing over the last few months, have also been retained. Hooda has been in outstanding form for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022.

Umran Malik, who wowed everyone with his blistering 150 km/h plus bowling in the IPL 2022, has received a maiden call-up. While Arshdeep Singh, who has been consistent for Punjab Kings and is considered as one of the greatest death-bowlers in the IPL by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, receives a well-deserved call-up too.

Apart from the new entrants in the squad, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan have been added to the squad, and the four pacers will join veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

INDIA SQUAD FOR SA SERIES:

KL Rahul (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vc) (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Y Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, R Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.