BCCI explains Ruturaj Gaikwad’s exit from playing XI as Shubman Gill return to 2nd T20I against South Africa

The first T20I match between India and South Africa washed out due to rain and the weather forecast not looking promising for the second game. India will be looking to give the chance to their players who will be certain starters for the T20I World Cup, scheduled to be held in West Indies and the USA in June 2024.

India welcomed back Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj into the playing XI for the fixture. While many believed that Gill’s presence was the reason for Ruturaj Gaikward’s exit from playing XI, that wasn’t the case. Soon after the toss, the BCCI provided an official statement on Ruturaj and revealed that he was unavailable for selection due to illness. Shubman Gill opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Durban 🛫 Gqeberha 🛬#TeamIndia have arrived ahead of the 2nd T20I.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/wjsP2vAq6U

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 11, 2023

While Gill is the confirmed opener, one of Yashasvi and Ruturaj probably would have to bat at number 3. Tilak Varma is batting at number three.

With Jadeja returning, India had to drop top bowler Ravi Bishnoi from playing CI. Rav’s form in the home T20I series against Australia saw him jump to the top position. Jadeja is the sole frontline spinner in the playing XI.

There was no place for Ishan Kishan in the playing XI as the team went with Jitesh Sharma, Jistesh looks like a strong contender to be part of the World Cup squad if he can capitalise on these opportunities in the series.

Here are the playing XIs of both teams

India: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar.

South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (Captain), Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lizaad Williams, Gerald Coetzee, Tabraiz Shamsi.