The first T20I between India (IND) and South Africa (SA) will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, June 9. The match will start at 7:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Led by KL Rahul, India are set to miss the services of regular veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah for the T20I series. On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik makes his much-awaited return to the fold while fast bowlers Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh also make the squad.
IND vs SA Dream11 prediction
Since their first-ever T20I meeting in 2006, India and South Africa have played a total of 15 matches in the shortest format, with the former winning nine and the latter coming out on top on six occasions.
Both India and South Africa have won three of their last six matches against each other.
Come Thursday, given the familiarity of the playing surface, India are expected to start as favourites. South Africa, however, cannot be discounted with the depth they have in their roster.
IND vs SA Dream11 team tips for 1st T20I
Top tip: Best batter
Selected by 92.16 per cent of fantasy users, Indian captain KL Rahul is the most-picked player for this position. Interestingly enough, despite playing as many as 56 T20Is, the Indian opener has never faced South Africa in the shortest format. However, judging by his form in the Indian T20 League, he is rightly tipped to cause some damage.
Top tip: Best bowler
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada should find a place in your fantasy team. The 27-year-old speedster has picked four wickets in as many T20Is against India in the past and will be looking to better his tally on Thursday.
Top tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is an obvious pick for this spot. The 28-year-old is coming on the back of an exhilarating display in the Indian T20 League and on top of that, he has picked five wickets against South Africa in as many T20Is in the past while averaging a decent 24.00 with the bat.
Finally, Proteas custodian Quinton de Kock is the most-picked player for this contest, with a whopping 92.22 per cent of users deciding to add him to their team. The 29-year-old wicket-keeper batsman was brilliant in the Indian T20 League and the fact that he is averaging 68.50 against India in just three T20Is goes on to show the impact he could make on Thursday.
IND vs SA probable playing XI
IND playing XI (probable): KL Rahul (captain), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik
SA playing XI (probable): Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Miller, Dwaine Pretorious, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje
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Featured photo: AFP / Manjunath Kiran
