South Africa announce ODI squad for India tour
On Monday, South Africa announced the ODI squad for the upcoming tour of India as former South African captain Faf du Plessis made his comeback. Top-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen has also returned to the 15-member squad led by Quinton de Kock. The management has retained Kyle Verreynne, Keshav Maharaj and Lutho Sipamla who are also part of the squad for Australia ODIs.
South Africa's 15-man squad for India ODIs
Squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj.
A maiden ODI call-up for Linde
Left-arm spinner George Linde has earned his maiden ODI call-up, owing to his all-round show in the recent List A matches. The southpaw made his international debut in a Test against India last year in Ranchi. He could be pivotal on the Indian decks in the absence of Tabraiz Shamsi. Shamsi was not available for selection as he awaits the birth of his child.
Ngidi to lead the bowling attack in Rabada's absence
Lungi Ngidi will lead the bowling attack alongside four other seamers Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks and Anrich Nortje in the absence of their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada. A groin strain earlier ruled Rabada out of the upcoming ODI series against Australia and India. The 24-year-old sustained the strain during the recently-concluded T20I series against Australia. He will likely take four weeks to heal.
CSA selector seems content with the combination
"We are satisfied with our picks. We saw some promising performances last year from the T20 squad that travelled there and we wanted to give George Linde another crack at the conditions which seemed to really suit him," CSA's selector Linda Zondi said.
The three-match series kicks off on March 12
The Proteas sealed a 74-run victory against Australia in the first ODI, riding on Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten ton. The three-match series ends on March 7 before South Africa travel to India for their white-ball assignment. Dharamsala will play host to the first ODI on March 12 with the following two hosted by Lucknow and Kolkata on March 15 and 18 respectively.
