In an exciting development for Indian cricket, two emerging talents, Ramandeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak, have received their first call-ups to the national squad for the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa. This series is set to commence on November 8 in Durban. Additionally, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who has been included in previous Test squads but has yet to make his international appearance, joins the team in South Africa.
Ramandeep Singh, a middle-order batter, showcased his exceptional skills during the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. His prowess in end-overs hitting played a pivotal role in the Kolkata Knight Riders' successful campaign, ultimately leading them to the IPL title. Throughout the tournament, Ramandeep made a significant impact despite facing only 62 balls, amassing an impressive total of 125 runs with a remarkable strike rate of 201.61. This striking rate ranks him fourth among all batters with a minimum of 50 balls faced in the season. Besides his batting capabilities, Ramandeep displays utility as a medium-pace bowler and is regarded as an excellent fielder. This was evident during the Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman, where he executed a sensational boundary catch that went viral, further showcasing his athleticism on the field.
Vijaykumar Vyshak, a seam bowler representing Karnataka and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been on the verge of national selection for several months. His recent performances have not gone unnoticed, as he was among five emerging players awarded fast-bowling contracts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Vyshak is particularly recognized for his ability to vary his pace effectively in white-ball cricket, and he has also made a mark in the red-ball format, having taken 10 wickets at an average of 24.90 during the Duleep Trophy.
Yash Dayal's selection into the T20I squad comes after he was initially part of the India A team set for a shadow tour accompanying the senior Test squad to Australia. Dayal has been withdrawn from this tour and will now contribute his talents to the T20I series in South Africa. His place in the India A roster has been taken by Prasidh Krishna, who has also been selected for the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The T20I squad announced by the BCCI sees notable absences caused by injuries. Batting all-rounder Riyan Parag is currently rehabilitating from what has been categorized as a chronic right shoulder injury. Similarly, fast bowler Mayank Yadav and seam-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube are unavailable due to unspecified injuries.
Mayank Yadav made an impactful debut in the recent home T20I series against Bangladesh. However, his performances have been plagued by recurring injuries, including an abdominal muscle issue that sidelined him from IPL 2024. This injury came shortly after he made a remarkable impact in the tournament, regularly clocking speeds over 150kph and earning the Player of the Match award in his first two appearances. It remains unclear if Shivam Dube's injury is linked to the back issues that had previously excluded him from the T20I series against Bangladesh. Middle-order batter Tilak Varma, who stepped in for Dube during that series, has retained his position in the squad.
The squad also sees the return of fast bowler Avesh Khan and spin-bowling allrounder Axar Patel. Avesh Khan, having previously been an integral part of the T20I setup, will likely bring his experience and pace to the lineup. Axar Patel, who was rested during the Bangladesh T20Is due to his role in the busy home Test season, has found a way back into the T20I team after Washington Sundar's inclusion in the Australia Test squad, effectively switching places with him.
Given that the upcoming South Africa tour coincides partially with India's Test series in Australia, this has led to the exclusion of several players. Fast bowler Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss out, along with established multi-format stars including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and the injured Kuldeep Yadav.
The series against South Africa comprises four T20Is, with matches scheduled in Durban on November 8, Gqueberha on November 10, Centurion on November 13, and Johannesburg on November 15.
The selected squad for the T20Is against South Africa features Suryakumar Yadav as captain, along with players such as Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, and Yash Dayal.
As the series approaches, cricket fans across India can anticipate a combination of emerging talent and experience in the squad, setting the stage for a captivating T20I series against a formidable South African side.