Ahead of the 1st T20I match against South Africa, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri picked his playing 11 for the match.
Ravi Shastri’s Probable Playing 11 for 1st T20I
In the South Africa Tour of India 2022, both teams will lock their horns to play 5 match T20I series across five venues in India from 09 to 19 June.
The first of a five-match T20I series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on June 9. Though the playing 11 of the Indian cricket team will be announced right after the toss(which you can check by clicking HERE), cricket experts will predict or pick their playing 11 based on the player’s recent past performance.
Like such, a playing 11 team has been picked by former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri. Shastri has become a talking point after he decides to include some young players over a few big names.
One such notable missing player was Dinesh Karthik – the player who won the IPL 2022 super Striker Award. CHECK: IPL 2022 Awards List: Winners Details With Prize Amount
Everyone feels that Indian selectors might rope the senior wicketkeeper batsman in the playing 11 for the 1st T20I match for his aggressive middle-order strikes.
Apart from this heartbreaking decision, Ravi Shatri strengthens the team with many youngsters with the support of the senior players as their pair. Experienced KL Rahul has been named along with young Ruturaj as the opening pair.
While IPL 2022 mega auction’s expensive player Ishan Kishan has been added to strengthen the top order. KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant and IPL 2022 winning team captain Hardik Pandya have been named in the middle order.
“I think they will go with the guys they will want to see first – the Rahuls, the Ruturaj Gaikwads – maybe they will open. They will probably give Ishan (Kishan) a break in this game or bat him at three,” Shastri was quoted as saying on Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’.
He added, “If you bat him (Ishan) at three, then it will be Shreyas (Iyer) at No. 4, (Rishabh) Pant at No. 5, and Hardik (Pandya) at No. 6.”
While Axar Patel and experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been added to strengthen the middle order.
IPL 2022 purple cap winner Yuzvendra Chahal has become an undeniable player to be named in the team for his impressive performance in IPL 2022 which helps Rajasthan Royals to reach the final of the last season.
Shastri was spoiled for choices between Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik and completed the list by picking medium-pacer Harshal Patel.
Ravi Shastri’s XI
KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh/Umran Malik, Harshal Patel.
