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OCA seeks divine blessings ahead of IND vs SA T20I; offers match ticket to Lord Jagannath

Harsh Adwani

OCA offers match ticket to Lord Jagannath [Source: @cricket_odisha/x.com]OCA offers match ticket to Lord Jagannath [Source: @cricket_odisha/x.com]

The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is all set to host the first T20I of the series between India and South Africa. The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack will host the match on the 9th of December. The two star-studded teams will face off in a five-match T20I series after playing two Tests and three ODIs.

Meanwhile, before the T20I leg of the series gets underway, the OCA secretary Sanjay Behera offered the first match ticket at the feet of Lord Jagannath in Puri to seek divine blessings. Rabi Shankar Pratihari of the Puri District Athletic Association and OCA member Santosh Das were also present to make the offering.

India gear to take on South Africa in T20Is

India hasn’t announced the squad for the T20I matches, but Suryakumar Yadav is expected to continue leading the team. India are expected to bring some players back to the side as well. Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck sprain in the first Test of the series, is expected to be back and don the vice captaincy hat.

Along with him, Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the ODI leg of the series, is also expected to return. Another big call the Indian selectors will have to make is about wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.

Samson lost his place in the Playing XI to Jitesh Sharma, playing against Australia. Rishabh Pant, who is also in contention to make it to the T20I squad, could potentially replace Samson. The announcement of the squad is still awaited.

This series will be crucial for India as they prepare to defend their title in the T20 World Cup 2026 at home. India will be without their star players, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, from the 2024 edition, and Suryakumar Yadav will be at the helm for the first time in an ICC event.

The T20 World Cup is set to begin on the 7th of February 2026. India’s first assignment will be against the USA, who displayed a strong run last time around. The Men in Blue will face their arch rivals, Pakistan, on the 15th of Feb.