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India vs South Africa 1st T20I: India have dropped hard-hitting batter Sanju Samson and spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the first T20I against South Africa, opting for Jitesh Sharma as their first-choice wicketkeeper and Varun Chakravarthy as their sole specialist spinner against South Africa.

During the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav cited tactical reasons for the decision, highlighting the team's flexibility and adaptability.

India opted a bowling lineup, featuring three specialist bowlers - Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah - with Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma playing the role of part-time spin options, sitting out Kuldeep. 

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Despite having a spectacular form at home as an opener in T20Is, Samson was dropped from the opening match. Shubman Gill's arrival as vice-captain pushed Samson to the middle order, where his tempo was inconsistent, eventually influencing his place in the team.

Speaking at the time of toss Suryakumar said, "That’s okay. I mean, we were a little confused looking at the wicket. Yesterday it was looking a little more greener, but today we were a little confused. But it’s okay, we’re happy to bat first. It gives a good challenge to put runs on the board and come out here and defend. I mean, see, it (dew factor) becomes a little challenging for the bowlers - you can’t run away from the fact. But going from here on, I think that’s going to remain for a really long time. It has been there for a very long time."

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"So if we keep focusing on that, I think the main job will be in trouble in doing that. But yeah, let’s not think about it and have it as a challenge. We had a good series in Australia. Now we play five T20s against South Africa and then we play against New Zealand, so 15 good T20s. I think it’s good preparation. Same thing what we’ve been doing in the last few series: be fearless, enjoy the game, and be at it for the next three hours. It (selection) is a very good headache to have. But I’ll tell you the guys who are missing out: Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana," he added.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the first T20I of the five-match series here at the Barabati Stadium. 

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IND vs SA 1st T20I Playing XIs

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.

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