India’s stand-in captain, has brushed aside any concerns of a hangover from the ODI World Cup, citing the recent victory against Australia

Suryakumar Refutes World Cup Fatigue

Acknowledging the World Cup defeat as a setback, Suryakumar emphasized the importance of the Australian series win, noting its positive impact despite being in a different format. He highlighted the team’s fearless approach against Australia and encouraged the players to maintain that attitude in the South African series, advising them to play as they do in franchise cricket.

India’s squad, without senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya, will rely on younger talents such as Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Rinku Singh. Rohit and Virat are resting, while Hardik is recovering from a shoulder injury, leading to Suryakumar assuming captaincy.

 

Team Composition for the First Match

Discussing the team setup for the first match in Durban, Suryakumar revealed that Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad would likely open, with Ishan Kishan at No.3. The middle order will feature himself and Rinku Singh, both in excellent recent form.

Suryakumar shared that the final team combination would be decided after a practice session, noting the squad has ample options for a sixth bowler. He expressed his enjoyment in leading the team and stressed the importance of unity among the players.

India’s tour will include three T20Is and three ODIs in the limited-overs format before transitioning to Test matches. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are set to rejoin the team for the Tests, while Mohammed Shami’s participation depends on a fitness test. The two-match Test series is scheduled to start on Boxing Day.