The Proteas will start a four-match T20I series against India at Kingsmead on Friday, just over four months after the visitors beat them in the T20 World Cup final. South Africa will be looking to achieve a measure of revenge against India, aiming to set the tone on home soil.
Both squads show significant changes from the sides that played in Barbados, where India lifted the trophy with a seven-run win. South Africa will be missing their three most successful bowlers from the World Cup campaign—fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje and left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, as well as batsman-wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
With most of India’s leading players preparing for a Test series in Australia, there are only four survivors from the World Cup-winning team—captain Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Panday, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh. However, while India will be bringing a mostly experimental side, their unparalleled depth makes them a tough outfit.
Proteas coach Rob Walter acknowledged the reality of having to prepare a team amidst congested and often conflicting schedules. “The worlds of short-form cricket, leagues, and Test matches are starting to encroach on each other. We’re seeing that with other sides around the world having to field two different squads. We want to be in the same position and know that we’re strong enough to win on both fronts.”
Walter can call on franchise stars such as David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj, which was not the case when South Africa were beaten in their most recent T20I against Ireland in Abu Dhabi in September.
The series is part of South Africa’s white ball preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, marking an exciting summer for the Proteas, with fans feeling like the team is closer than ever to ICC gold. Originally set for India’s tour of South Africa in 2021-22, these matches were postponed due to Covid restrictions. The tour also promises financial gains for CSA through revenues from Indian TV.
For India, the series provides fringe players, such as uncapped Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Dayal, a chance to make an impact ahead of the scheduled IPL player auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 24-25 November.
Proteas Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla (third and fourth matches only), and Tristan Stubbs.
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.
Fixtures:
- 8 November, Durban
- 10 November, Gqeberha
- 13 November, Centurion
- 15 November, Johannesburg
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