Picture Credit: Twitter
India and South Africa are locking horns in the second match of the five-match T20I series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma once again called right at the toss and invited India to bat first. Both captains also announced the changes made to their eleven. While Rishabh Pant confirmed that India are playing the same team as the first T20I, Bavuma informed that South Africa have made two changes.
Heinrich Klaasen replaced Quinton de Kock in the lineup while Reeza Hendricks came in for Tristan Stubbs. Both the changes were a bit surprising considering South Africa had won the last game. However, as Bavuma explained, both the changes were forced. De Kock could not make himself available for the second T20I because he has suffered a hamstring injury, the South African captain informed. “We have two forced changes; QDK has a hand injury and Stubbs misses out, Klaasen and Hendricks come in,” said Bavuma at the toss.
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
South Africa (Playing XI): Temba Bavuma(c), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Dwaine Pretorius, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Trouble for South Africa!
Before de Kock, Aiden Markram had to miss the 1st T20I as the batter had contracted COVID-19 ahead of the game. Markram could also not make himself available for the second T20I. Although South Africa are leading the five-match series 1-0, they need their best players fit and running. While the level of the injury to de Kock is not yet confirmed, it is to be seen if he gets fit before the third game that is just two days away (14 June).