The first game of the much-anticipated India vs. South Africa T20I series got washed out in Durban on Sunday. The rain didn't allow the young Indian team to take on the hosts in the game. This washout also hindered India's preparations for the upcoming T20I World Cup.
It's worth noting that India has sent their young squad, as key players like Jasprit Bumrah, skipper Rohit Sharma, and star batter Virat Kohli have been rested. The team is being led by dynamic batter Suryakumar Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja has been appointed as his deputy. Notably, India will now play only seven T20Is ahead of the prestigious tournament.
The tournament is set to be organised in June 2024 in the Caribbean and the United States of America. India is likely to be led by skipper Rohit Sharma, as the Indian Cricket Board wants him to extend his tenure. Meanwhile, young players will be keen to perform in the ongoing series to confirm their place in the prestigious tournament.
Who will lead India in the upcoming T20 World Cup?
Meanwhile, Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah has spoken about the captaincy role in the upcoming tournament. He has said that there is no need for clarity right now as IPL is still there. "What is the need to have clarity right now? The T20 World Cup is starting in June. We had the IPL before that and also the series against Afghanistan," said Jay Shah on Saturday.
However, India will now lock horns with South Africa in the 2nd T20I at St. George's Park in Gqeberha on December 12. After this series, India will host Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series starting in January. This series will be India's last international series before the T20I World Cup in Carrefour.
Here is how fans react to the rain-interrupted game:
Long waited Sunday is over. Here we are coming Monday
โ Raj Paladi (@IamRajPaladi) December 10, 2023
Good for india paper champions๐คฃ๐
โ Ulta teer BA56 (@Dinga__BA56) December 10, 2023
Bachgaya india
โ Yaqzan Alam Siddiqui (@AlamYaqzan) December 10, 2023
Jetna aus ny hi tha
โ Albash (@Albash398) December 10, 2023
Thank God Rain Saved India Otherwise You Guys Gonna Make A Record To Lose Twice In A Same Day In History.
โ Rizvi Tweets ๐ต๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น (@Shah_Rizvi97) December 10, 2023
Today 2 big matches got canceled
โ Shivaye ๐ฑ (@shivaye01) December 10, 2023
Second game of the day to be called off coz of rain
โ Cricket Chronicle ๐๐ (@cricchronicle1) December 10, 2023
First, a big bash match cox of damping pitch and now this
Curse of Temba Bavuma . No Temba Bavuma, no cricket match pic.twitter.com/0cOPPpe7sD
โ Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) December 10, 2023
Srilanka and South Africa venue is ๐ฌ๐ฌ
โ Pankaj (@Pankaj41627) December 10, 2023
Sara mood of kar dia yar ๐ฅบ
โ โ๏ผญฮ๏ผจฮฃ๏ผณ๏ผจโก (@_mahesh_king) December 10, 2023
REALITY KING ABHISHEK KUMAR
Good news for india
โ ASAD ๐ต๐ฐ (@farig_tareen) December 10, 2023
India ny harna hi tha
โ Albash (@Albash398) December 10, 2023
Bad news for Cricket lovers๐
โ Dr Crickter (@drcrickter) December 10, 2023