IND vs SA T20Is: Ten days after the conclusion of the IPL 2022, preparations for the T20 World Cup will resume as India host South Africa (IND vs SA) for 5 T20Is which will be followed by a 2-T20I series tour to Ireland.
According to several reports, a number of players could be rested for the IND vs SA series in order to manage their workload. In that case, the Indian selectors could give a call-up to the uncapped players who have been performing well.
Here are 5 uncapped Indian players who could be picked for IND vs SA T20I series:
Umran Malik
Not just currently, but Umran Malik may be India’s fastest ever bowler having recently recorded the speed of 157 KPH in the IPL 2022, where he’s also picked his maiden five-wicket haul.
The Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation has taken 15 wickets in 11 matches, including a five-for, however, Malik has been really expensive and off the radar, losing control of his lines and lengths often.
But, the 22-year-old could soon make his India debut in the IND vs SA T20I series, as his raw and extreme pace is a rarity in Indian cricket.
Rahul Tripathi
Calls for Rahul Tripathi to be given an India cap have grown multi-folds with his performances from last season, with KKR, as a middle-order enforcer to this year.
Since the Indian top-order comprises a number of anchor batters, experts feel that Tripathi – who has scored runs at a strike rate of 164 and average of 38 so far this IPL season – could well be the impetus provider India needs.
In the IPL 2022, during the middle-overs, Rahul Tripathi has a strike rate of 168; no Indian batsman, with a minimum of 100 runs in this middle period, has scored at a faster rate than the SRH number 3. India’s selectors can give Rahul Tripathi a chance for the IND vs SA T20Is.
Tilak Varma
With 368 runs at an average of 40 and strike rate of 132, Tilak Varma is the leading run-scorer for Mumbai Indians yet, that too in his debut season in the IPL. His maturity, temperament, and technique have impressed skipper Rohit Sharma so much that he has predicted Varma to soon play in all the formats for India. Well, the maiden T20I call-up for the 19-year-old left-hander couldn’t be much far away.
If there’s any youngster who deserves a chance in the IND vs SA T20I series, it’s Tilak Varma. He has impressed one and all with his brilliant batting skills.
Rahul Tewatia
The South Africa series might just be the perfect time for the selectors and management to give Rahul Tewatia his debut T20I cap, given Ravindra Jadeja‘s form and fitness are a concern at the moment. Tewatia has shut down all those who mocked the Gujarat Titans for splurging out 9 crore at the mega-auction with his brilliant and calm finishing work; he’s played a crucial role in the Titans becoming the first team to reach the playoffs.
Rahul Tewatia was previously known only for his heroics against Punjab and Sheldon Cottrell during the IPL 2020 and there were doubts over his effectiveness against better bowlers. However, the southpaw now has smashed 215 runs at a strike rate of 149 and has been involved in two last-ball wins for GT. He’s shown that he can keep his composure in the slog overs and is able to clear any boundary; Tewatia has made marked improvements in his off-side power-hitting.
Mukesh Choudhary
Mukesh Choudhary has been just stunning for Chennai Super Kings. He could well be the left-arm pacer that India have been so dearly hoping for. Choudhary can swing the ball both ways and has troubled even international batters in the IPL 2022.
Mukesh Choudhary now has 16 wickets in 11 matches. In the absence of the injured Deepak Chahar, the left-arm seamer has taken up the mantle to take wickets in the powerplay for CSK: so far Choudhary has taken 11 wickets in the first six overs, the most by a bowler in the tournament so far. India might want to try out the 25-year-old against the Proteas.
