Pandya & Gill Out, Bumrah In; Here's India's Squad For South Africa T20Is

image-lpkq36emSuryakumar Yadav will likely lead India in SA T20Is [AP]

After finishing the home assignment against Australia, India will tour South Africa for three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests. The much-anticipated tour starts on December 10 with the first T20I at the iconic SuperSport Park in Centurion. The Men in Blue are currently leading the five-match Australia T20Is by 2-1, and the squad for the South African tour will be announced anytime soon. 

As per the latest reports, ace Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to miss the high-voltage series, as he is yet to recover from the ankle injury he sustained during the World Cup encounter against Bangladesh. In his absence, the BCCI tries to convince Rohit Sharma to lead the T20I team; however, the veteran cricketer doesn't seem interested in continuing to play the shortest format. 

Therefore, in all likelihood, swashbuckling batter Suryakumar Yadav will captain India in the South Africa T20Is. Furthermore, experienced pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who were rested for the Australia T20Is, might make it into the squad this time. 

So, Prasidh Krishna, who has had a torrid time with the ball, will likely be dropped for South Africa T20Is, with the selectors choosing one between Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan (probably the former) for the reserve seamer's role. 

With Ruturaj Gaikwad performing admirably against Australia, the selectors might ignore Shubman Gill for South Africa T20Is. Among others, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh will likely be included, with Ishan Kishan and Jitesh Sharma travelling as the keeper-batters. 

Shivam Dube and Axar Patel will be the all-rounders in the squad, while Ravi Bishnoi will continue to spearhead the spin department. 

India's Probable Squad For South Africa T20Is

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar