South AfricaPlans for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India has been seriously hampered by the exit of two key players, Tony De Zorzi And quena mafakaConfirmed due to injury concerns Cricket South Africa (CSA) On Saturday. This comes with the return of the fast bowler Nandre Burger From the last ODI of the previous series. Replacements have been named for only one of the T20I places, leaving a notable gap in the squad.
South Africa’s top-order batsman Tony De Zorzi ruled out of T20 series against India
Top-order batsman De Zorzi and fast bowler Berger were ruled out of the crucial third ODI against India due to hamstring injuries sustained during the second match.
- Tony De Zorzi: He suffered pain in his right hamstring while batting during the run chase in the second ODI and had to retire hurt. Scans confirmed the injury, ruling him out of the entire five-match T20 series and he will return home. No replacement has been named For them to vacate the top order in the T20I team.
- Nandre Burger: He experienced discomfort in his right hamstring while bowling in the second ODI. He has been dropped from the decisive match of the ODI series.
The setback in the T20 series is particularly significant for De Zorzi, as he was expected to play a key role. His absence has been compounded by the ongoing unavailability of frontline pacers, such as Kagiso RabadaPuts additional pressure on the remaining South African team members.
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Replacement for Kwena Mafaka for IND vs SA T20I series
In another blow to the bowling attack, young fast bowler Mafaka was also withdrawn from the T20 squad due to a hamstring problem.
- Kwena Mafaka: The former U19 World Cup star, who has IPL experience, did not make the expected progress during the final stages of rehabilitation from a left hamstring injury and will not be fit for the start of the T20I series.
- Replacement: right arm medium fast bowler lutho sipamla Has been included in the team in place of Mafaka. Sipamala, who plays for DP World Lions domestically, has previous international experience, having played 11 T20 matches for South Africa (taking 6 wickets at an average of 61.33).
The inclusion of Sipamla, who last played a T20I for South Africa in November 2024, is a necessary measure to ensure that the team has adequate pace reserves as they deal with this injury crisis against a strong Indian team. The five-match series is scheduled to begin in Cuttack on December 9.
South Africa’s updated T20I squad for series vs India
Aiden Markram (captain), Otneil Bartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brewis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jensen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamala and Tristan Stubbs.
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