Iyer, Umesh, and Shahbaz replace Shami, Hooda for SA series

image-l8jdhan3Mohammad Shami (PC: Twitter)

After testing positive for Covid-19 and missing the entire three-match T20I series against Australia, Mohammad Shami will not be available for the T20I series against South Africa as well after not recovering in time. 

The pacer did not travel to Thiruvananthapuram with the team, and in his place, Umesh Yadav, who was recently drafted into the Indian squad for the preceding series, continues to retain his position. A known person confirmed the news about Shami to Cricbuzz. He said,

"There is no medical update about the time that will take for him to be fully fit, but currently, it does not look good."

Hooda misses out after back injury

Deepak Hooda didn't feature in the 3rd T20I against the Aussie side owing to a back injury, and as per the latest news, he won't be playing in the Proteas series either. So the big-hitting middle-order batter is replaced by Shreyas Iyer, who will come into the side after last playing an international match against West Indies.

Hooda is said to be suffering from back spasms, and his unavailability for the last match was confirmed by a BCCI statement which read,

"Deepak Hooda wasn't available for selection for this game owing to a back injury."

Furthermore, Hardik Pandya has been rested for the T20I series, and in his place, left-arm spinning all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been brought in.

However, there were reports of Umran Malik coming in, but after recent updates, all sorts of discussions are being put to rest.

South Africa's India tour will begin with a three-match T20I series on 28th September, following which they will play an ODI series.

India's updated squad for South Africa T20Is

Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Shreyas Iyer.

Also Read: Babar Azam reviews team's batting performance in the fourth T20I