Avesh Khan started for India along with a seasoned Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel in the pace department. Young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad made his international debut against South Africa. 

Protea skipper won the toss and elected to bowl in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Thursday. 

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India have made many changes from the side that played the T20I series against Sri Lanka in February. An in form Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik have been recalled into the playing 11. Axar Patel also got a spot. 

KL Rahul, who had to captain the side, and spinner Kuldeep Yadav have been ruled out of the series with injuries. In the former’s absence, Rishabh Pant leads the team with Pandya as his deputy. 

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“It is one of the proudest moment in my cricketing career so far. Because a Delhi boy getting that (captaincy) honour at Delhi is a huge thing for me. Thanks to everyone for giving me this opportunity. We know our XI but at the same time we are giving different roles to players and see how they cope with that going forward,” skipper Pant said at the toss. 

South Africa started with a near packed side. Tristian Stubbs got his debut as Wayne Parnell made his comeback. Aiden Markram is not available for selection, skipper Temba Bavuma said. 

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“Aiden was not available for selection as he tested positive for Covid, Stubbs comes in and it is a debut for him. We have two all rounders; Dwaine and Parnell also come into the fold. It is an important series as we haven’t been together as a group since the World Cup, it is a preparation for the World Cup coming up in Australia. For us it is about to build momentum and build confidence going ahead,” the Protea skipper said. 

Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan