Aiden Markram - SA - sportstiger

Picture Credit: Twitter

South Africa were dealt with a big blow as their star opening batter Aiden Markram tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of his team’s 1st T20I match against India on Thursday. The Proteas captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the news at the toss. Bavuma confirmed that Aiden Markram has contracted COVID-19 and hence remains unavailable for South Africa.

"Aiden Markram was not available for selection as he tested positive for Covid, Stubbs comes in and it is a debut for him," said Bavuma at the toss. Notably, Temba Bavuma won the toss and invited India to bat first in the 1st T20I. Bavuma reckoned that the pitch will get better to bat on and hence decided to bowl first.

Meanwhile, India captain Rishabh Pant reckoned otherwise and said he won't mind batting first on his home ground. "I think it is a good surface and don't mind batting first. But if I had won the toss I would have bowled first," said Pant at the toss.

No national cap for Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh

While South Africa handed a debut cap to Tristan Stubbs, India refrained from making any experiments and went with already capped players. Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh who found a place in the national squad after impressive performances in IPL 2022 were asked to warm the bench. India rather went with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Avesh Khan as their three main pacers. Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik got a chance to make a comeback in the eleven.

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan