As India prepares for the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on November 8, there is a lot of anticipation surrounding the debut of new talents. Among the emerging names in the squad, all-rounder Ramandeep Singh, 29, is one to watch out for as he is likely to make his senior debut. Known for his explosive batting in the lower order and effective contributions with the ball, Ramandeep has been on the selectors’ radar following his impressive performances in IPL and domestic cricket.

Ramandeep played a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) title-winning IPL 2024 campaign, where he showed his finishing ability with the bat and was a reliable option with the ball. His remarkable performances in IPL, as well as his contributions to India A’s Emerging Asia Cup campaignultimately earning him his first senior India call-up. As an all-rounder and all-rounder, he could play a vital role in the Indian line-up, especially in the absence of players like Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag, both sidelined due to injuries.

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Another name in the limelight is Vijaykumar Vyshak, a 27-year-old pacer who received his first call-up for this series. Vyshak’s rise has been rapid, starting with an impressive IPL season for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and followed by strong performances in the Duleep Trophy. Known for his precision and ability to play under pressure, Vyshak has shown his potential in high-stakes matches.

Despite his strong domestic and IPL credentials, Vyshak’s chances of featuring in the opener may be limited. India already has a strong bowling line-up, with Arshdeep Singh spearheading it and Yash Dayal also in contention for his debut after his own stellar IPL season with RCB.

With Suryakumar Yadav leading a team that has new faces and high expectations, the team management could consider Ramandeep’s experience in all-round roles to strengthen their batting depth and versatility. This match will not only kick off the T20I series but could also serve as a testing ground for the next generation of Indian stars.

South Africa vs India, 1st T20I: Predicted XI

India predicted XI: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal

Or,

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Tilak Verma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal

South Africa Predicted XI: Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Hienrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Patrick Kruger, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj