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[Saba Sports News] India’s cricket tour of South Africa commenced with the two teams clashing in the second T20I on Tuesday, December 12, at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. South African skipper Aiden Markram won the coin toss and opted to have India bat first. Surprisingly, the Indian team made several changes to their lineup, leaving out Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi.
Gaikwad, who was the top scorer in the recent five-match T20I series against Australia with 223 runs from five innings, including a stunning unbeaten 123 from 57 balls in the third T20I at Guwahati, was sidelined due to illness. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) confirmed his unavailability when they announced the playing XI.
Fans, however, were perplexed by the omission of Ravi Bishnoi and Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, who had been the vice-captain during the series against Australia, scored an impressive half-century (53 off 37) in the last match. He also had an outstanding ODI World Cup 2023, finishing as the seventh highest run scorer in the tournament with 530 runs from 11 innings.
Bishnoi, named Player of the Series against Australia, led in wicket-taking with nine dismissals across five matches. His performance earned him the top spot in the T20I bowlers’ rankings.
The 23-year-old wrist-spinner, who has taken 34 wickets in 21 T20Is at an average of 17.38 and an economy rate of 7.14, was replaced by left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second T20I.