Miller, Klaasen, Maharaj have been included while Rabada has been rested.
Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee are set to return to international cricket in the upcoming T20I series against India at home, following a period of conditioning. Both players participated in the CSA domestic T20 Challenge, with Jansen last appearing in the T20 World Cup in June and Coetzee in the preceding T20I series against the West Indies in May.
The duo has addressed shoulder and hip issues, respectively, and were among the first bowlers to receive an extended break as Cricket South Africa (CSA) implemented structured rest periods to enhance player conditioning. Lungi Ngidi, currently part of the Test squad in Bangladesh but without game time since an ODI in October, will also have an opportunity to focus on his fitness over the next six weeks in preparation for the home Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He is not included in the T20I squad for the series against India, while Kagiso Rabada has been rested with the Test matches in consideration. South Africa’s squad still features several prominent players, including Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Keshav Maharaj, who were absent from the white-ball teams in the UAE.
The team will be led by regular captain Aiden Markram, with Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton opening the batting. The squad includes two new caps, all-rounders Mihlali Mpongwana and Andile Simelane, who were joint second in wicket-taking during the recently concluded T20 Challenge. Both players took 12 wickets at impressive averages of 14.08 and 14.25, respectively, and have been part of South African squads in recent times, bolstering the all-rounder options. Additionally, Donovan Ferreira, the third-highest run-scorer in the T20 Challenge, and Patrick Kruger have also been selected.
Tabraiz Shamsi’s absence from the squad is significant, as he chose to withdraw from a national contract last month. While he remains eligible for international cricket, South Africa has decided to select Keshav Maharaj and leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter instead.
Additionally, fast bowler Anrich Nortje has not been included in the team. Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach, explained at a press conference, “I wanted to prioritize other fast bowlers in the group. Anrich is a quality player, participating in leagues globally, and we are aware of his capabilities. It is essential to provide opportunities for some of our other bowlers to compete against strong opposition.” The seam-bowling lineup will be strengthened by the inclusion of Lutho Sipamla for the third and fourth matches in the Highveld. Sipamla last represented South Africa in a Test match in 2022 and has not participated in a white-ball international since April 2021; however, his impressive performance of 4 for 12 at the Wanderers during the T20 Challenge final earned him a place in the squad. It is important to note that Sipamla will not be part of the squad for the initial matches in Durban and Gqeberha, which commence the series on November 8.
South Africa Squad for T20Is against India
Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs
