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South Africa‘s plans for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India have been severely disrupted by the ruling out of two key players, Tony De Zorzi and Kwena Maphaka, due to injury concerns confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Saturday. This comes alongside the withdrawal of fast bowler Nandre Burger from the final ODI of the preceding series. The replacements have been named for only one of the T20I spots, leaving a notable gap in the squad.
South Africa’s top-order batter Tony de Zorzi ruled out of T20I series vs India
Top-order batter De Zorzi and fast bowler Burger were first ruled out of the crucial third ODI against India due to hamstring injuries sustained during the second match.
- Tony De Zorzi: Experienced right hamstring pain while batting during the run chase in the second ODI and had to retire hurt. Scans confirmed the injury, ruling him out of the entire five-match T20I series, and he will return home. No replacement has been named for him in the T20I squad, leaving a top-order void.
- Nandre Burger: Experienced discomfort in his right hamstring while bowling in the second ODI. He has been ruled out of the ODI series decider.
The T20I series setback is particularly significant for De Zorzi, as he was expected to play a crucial role. His absence, compounded by the existing unavailability of frontline pacers like Kagiso Rabada, places extra pressure on the remaining South African squad members.
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Replacement of Kwena Maphaka for the IND vs SA T20I series
In a second blow to the bowling attack, young fast bowler Maphaka was also withdrawn from the T20I squad due to a lingering hamstring issue.
- Kwena Maphaka: The former U19 World Cup star, who has IPL experience, did not make the expected progress during the final phase of his rehabilitation from a left hamstring injury and will not be fit for the start of the T20I series.
- Replacement: Right-arm medium-fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has been added to the squad in Maphaka’s place. Sipamla, who plays for DP World Lions domestically, has previous international experience, having played 11 T20Is for South Africa (taking 6 wickets at an average of 61.33).
The inclusion of Sipamla, who last played a T20I for South Africa in November 2024, is a necessary measure to ensure the team has sufficient pace reserves as they navigate this injury crisis against a formidable Indian side. The five-match series is scheduled to begin on December 9 in Cuttack.
South Africa’s updated T20I squad for the series vs India
Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, and Tristan Stubbs
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