Mayank Yadav ruled out of India T20I squad against South Africa due to injury, Ramandeep, Dayal, and Vyshak receive first-time selection

The BCCI has revealed the Team India squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, but there were two noticeable exclusions due to injuries. Mayank Yadav, the fast bowler who debuted in the last series against Bangladesh, and Riyan Parag will both miss out. In addition, Shivam Dube, who was sidelined in the previous series due to injury, remains unavailable for selection.

The BCCI further provided details on Parag's absence, stating that the all-rounder is undergoing a ‘long-term resolution for his chronic right shoulder injury’ at the Centre of Excellence.

There were three maiden call-ups in the T20I squad against South Africa; batter Ramandeep Singh, who produced impressive performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, as well as in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup this month, was rewarded with a place. Among bowlers, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal, who had earlier received his maiden Test call-up in October, were also picked in the squad.

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, both of whom had opened in the series against Bangladesh, retained their places in the side while Tilak Varma, who led the India A side to the semi-finals of the emerging Teams Asia Cup, was also picked. Jitesh Sharma also retains his place as back-up wicketkeeper.

Among all-rounders, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel feature in the squad. Varun Chakaravarthy was rewarded for his strong performances against Bangladesh, with Ravi Bishnoi complimenting him in the spin department.

The squad features a five-man pace attack; with Hardik featuring as all-rounder, the premier pacers include Arshdeep Singh, Vyshak, Avesh Khan, and Dayal.

The four-match T20I tour of South Africa begins on November 8 with the first match in Kingsmead.

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.