India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa has been announced, and two standout performers from IPL 2024, Ramandeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak, have earned their maiden call-ups. The four-match series will commence on November 8 in Durban.
Ramandeep Singh
Ramandeep Singh, a 29-year-old all-rounder from Punjab, made a significant impact in IPL 2024 as a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He scored 125 runs off just 62 balls, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 201.61. His explosive batting and valuable all-round skills were further highlighted during the Emerging Asia Cup with India A, where he showcased his fielding prowess and knack for taking crucial wickets.
Vijaykumar Vyshak
Vijaykumar Vyshak, a 27-year-old right-arm medium pacer from Karnataka, impressed with his pace variations and consistent performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024. He claimed 13 wickets in 11 matches, and his skills were recognized with a fast-bowling contract by the BCCI earlier this year. Vyshak also made his mark in the red-ball format, taking 10 wickets in the Duleep Trophy at an average of 24.90.
Injury-Induced Opportunities
The call-ups of Ramandeep and Vyshak come as replacements for injured players, including fast bowler Mayank Yadav, all-rounder Shivam Dube, and Riyan Parag, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a chronic shoulder injury. Their inclusion provides fresh talent and depth to the squad as India prepares for the challenging series against South Africa.
Rambo: Call of Duty 1.0 – We'll be there! 🇮🇳😍 pic.twitter.com/i10E4mPLVK
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 26, 2024
Series Schedule
The T20I series will be played across four venues: Durban (November 8), Gqeberha (November 10), Centurion (November 13), and Johannesburg (November 15). The series will be a crucial test for these young talents to establish themselves at the international level and contribute to India’s success.
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