Anrich Nortje back, De Kock, Markram to fire at top? SA strongest XI for 1st T20I vs IND

Anrich Nortje and Aiden Markram [Source: AFP Photos]

After their ODI series defeat, South Africa will be eager to bounce back with the T20I matchup that is set to commence on December 9. The Aiden Markram-led side will be hungry to take on Suryakumar Yadav & Co. as they come off after a Pakistan T20I tri-series.

With plenty of fireworks with the bat present in the squad, and a possible inclusion of Anrich Nortje in the pace department, let's take a deep dive into the most likely Playing XI of South Africa for the first clash at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.

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Quinton de Kock to open with Aiden Markram

Quinton de Kock hasn't been impressive with his recent T20I form. However, given his recent form in the ODIs, the Proteas might think of backing the veteran to open alongside Aiden Markram.

(T20I stats for Markram and de Kock in 2025)

Markram has been in a kind of an experimental role for the team, given his position to bat. As seen that he works best at the top, Markram might be responsible for attacking in the powerplays alongside de Kock to get good runs in the kitty early.

Reeza-Brevis-Breetzke to stack the middle

Reeza Hendricks, who has been the second-highest run scorer in the Pakistan T20I series, can come in at No. 3 as Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke follow up. The duo has been pretty crucial in dismantling India's hopes in the 2nd ODI at Raipur, where the duo stitched 92 runs between them to almost close the game for South Africa.

(2025 stats for Hendricks, Brevis and Breetzke)

With red-hot form on their side, the trio can form a formidable anchor to a collapsed top order if it is to happen at Barabati.

George Linde, Donovan Ferreira, and Bosch to form all-rounder core

As the performers they are, South Africa might stick to the spin plus all-rounder core of George Linde and Donovan. Linde has been decent with the bat and the ball this year having 111 runs and 7 wickets from the 9 T20I matches he played.

Donovan, on the other hand, has been better with the bat with an average of 21.2 in 2025, but has been pretty poor with picking wickets.

Corbin Bosch, however, has been the outperformer with the ball. He has taken 17 wickets from his 11 T20I matches in 2025 and did a decent job with the bat in the format too. Hence, it is likely that he finds a place in the T20I squad too after his Test heroics.

Anrich Nortje returns as Maharaj, Ngidi to keep attack spicy

After more than a year, South Africa has decided to clear Anrich Nortje to feature in an international game. The veteran pacer, who was mostly ruled out because of his recurring injury issues, will most likely feature in the game with support from pacer Lungi Ngidi. 

(Recent stats of Anrich Nortje in CSA T20 2025)

Keshav Maharaj, meanwhile, will be leading the spin attack with the Proteas likely to go for a 3 pace 3 spin arsenal for the matchup.

South Africa’s strongest XI for 1st T20I vs India

Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

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