IND vs SA: South Africa Face Bowling Woes As Lungi Ngidi Ruled Out Of T20 Series Against India

IND vs SA: India and South Africa are set to clash in the first T20I of the 3-match series in Durban on December 10. But, South Africa have suffered a major blow, losing their star pacer Lungi Ngidi. A left ankle sprain has ruled Ngidi out of the series, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming two-match Test series as well.

Initially set to feature in the first two T20Is and a domestic four-day match from December 14, Ngidi will now undergo evaluation by Cricket South Africa's medical team to determine his availability for the Test fixture.

The absence of Ngidi adds to South Africa's bowling concerns in the T20Is, with Kagiso Rabada rested for the series and Anrich Nortje already ruled out for the entire tour due to a lower-back stress fracture. Left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks, who last played a T20I in July 2021, has been drafted in as a replacement for Ngidi.

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While facing a challenge with key bowlers missing, South Africa still boasts a robust pool of fast bowlers, including Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams, Ottniel Baartman, and Hendricks, alongside all-rounders Nandre Burger and Andile Phehlukwayo.

However, a strategic move from South Africa team management will see Jansen and Coetzee released after the first two T20Is to participate in red-ball cricket preparations ahead of the Test matches. In the ODIs, Baartman and Williams will lead the bowling attack, supported by Burger, Wiaan Mulder, and the uncapped Mihlali Mpongwana.

South Africa's white-ball squads also feature their seasoned spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. Maharaj maintains his presence in the Test setup as well.

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India's tour kicks off with three T20 matches in Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Johannesburg. Following the T20 series, the focus will shift to three One Day Internationals scheduled between December 17-21, taking place in the latter two venues and Paarl.

The Test series commences on December 26 in Pretoria, followed by the second Test on January 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.

South Africa T20 squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee (1st and 2nd T20Is), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen (1st and 2nd T20Is), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams