Team India has decided to go with just 3 frontline bowlers and 3 all-rounders in Cuttack. After losing the toss and being put in to bat first at the Barabati Stadium, India captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed India’s playing XI. As expected, Hardik Pandya returns after a 2-month layoff, having sustained a left quadriceps injury during the 2025 Asia Cup.
Kuldeep Yadav dropped
Men in Blue have continued with Jitesh Sharma as their wicketkeeper over Sanju Samson, who was dropped midway through the Australia T20I series. Axar Patel, who was either rested or dropped from the ODI series, also returns to the side.
India has decided to play Arshdeep Singh over Kuldeep Yadav, perhaps due to the dew factor in Cuttack. Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma were bowling quite a bit in the nets yesterday, and if the pitch spins, we might see one of them roll their arms over.
“We were a little confused looking at the wicket; it was looking a bit greener yesterday. Happy to bat first, want to make the most of it and defend. It (dew) becomes a little challenging for the bowlers; it is going to remain for a really long time. The guys missing out are Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana,” Suryakumar told Ravi Shastri at the toss.
India Playing XI for 1st South Africa T20I
Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Bench: Sanju Samson (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar
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