Jasprit Bumrah, who returned home during the India vs South Africa T20 series for personal reasons, has now rejoined the team. Sanju Samson was set to play in the fourth T20, but it was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to fog. The wicketkeeper’s return is now possible in Ahmedabad for the fifth and final match of the T20 series will be played at the stadium on Friday, December 19.
What will be the playing XI of India for the 5th match
Team India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, leads the five-match series 2-1. The team won the first and third matches played in Cuttack and Dharamsala, while South Africa won the second T20I played in New Chandigarh. Now, Team India will look to win the series 3-1 in Ahmedabad, while the visiting team will look to end the series in a draw.
Sanju Samson has yet to make the playing XI for the ongoing T20 series against South Africa. He only played two T20Is during the Australia tour. His return was considered certain after Shubman Gill was injured in the previous match in Lucknow, but the toss was even postponed due to fog.
Shubman Gill was ruled out of the last T20I due to injury. It is considered unlikely that he will play in the fifth T20I, so Sanju Samson may return for the crucial match in Ahmedabad. In Gill’s absence, Sanju could open alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Jasprit Bumrah, who returned home before the third T20I due to personal reasons, has rejoined the team ahead of the Lucknow match. Arshdeep and Bumrah played together in previous matches, so Bumrah’s inclusion could force Harshit Rana to sit out. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma, who played in the first three T20Is, may be dropped from the playing XI in Ahmedabad.
Probable playing XIs
India’s probable playing 11
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar,Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty.
South Africa’s probable playing 11
Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brewis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Otenil Bartman.