Picks for the first T20I between India and South Africa

India and South Africa will lock horns against each other in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Thursday. Both teams will be looking to find combinations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia and this series is expected to be an audition platform for players from both sides.

We take a look at Picks for the match between India and South Africa. We will look at head-to-head records, stats, and players to look out for in the upcoming match.

Current form for India: W W W W W

The Indian players had once again impressed with their consistent performances in the IPL. Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik had done a fine job for GT and RCB respectively and they will look to grab their chances. Furthermore, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh will also be the cynosure of all eyes in this crucial series.

Current form for SA: W W W W L

The last time South Africa played a T20I was back in the T20 World Cup in 2021. Thus, it has been a long time since they have played in the shortest format of the game. However, their players were part of the recently concluded Tata IPL 2022 and they will look to hit the ground running in the Indian conditions.

Head to Head: Matches: 17, Won by India: 9, Won by SA: 6, Abandoned: 2.

India holds an advantage in the head-to-head battle against South Africa.

Players to watch out for: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh are going to hold the key for the home team.

Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller and Quinton de Kock will be the crucial players for the Proteas.

India’s T20I squad: Rishabh Pant (Captain)(wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.

South Africa T20I squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen.