Former opener Wasim Jaffer feels that South Africa will start the T20 series as favourites. India KL Rahul after being dismissed due to a back injury. Jaffer told that the Proteas have come to India with their best team while India would be without the services of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and now Rahul’s injury is also a big blow to the hosts.
The BCCI on Wednesday announced that Rahul has suffered a back injury and has been ruled out of the entire series as Rishabh Pant will lead the side in his absence.
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Jaffer also spoke about Kuldeep Yadav, who was ruled out of the series after suffering a hand injury during the nets.
“If you have to look at both the sides, I think SA starts as the favorite now that KL Rahul is not there. Even though Kuldeep Yadav is injured, I had doubts whether Kuldeep would play in the first XI in the first T20I. But the absence of KL Rahul is a big setback for India. South Africa will start as the favorites as they have probably brought their best team. They have a powerful bowling attack, and their spinners are quite good,” Jaffer said while talking to ESPNcricinfo.
Rahul’s injury will pave the way for young Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan to make it to the playing XI for the first T20 match to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on June 9.
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Former South African pacer Dale Steyn further predicted that it is going to be a tough series as the visitors with the likes of Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Enrique Nortje and other stars have all the firepower in their tanks. Is.
“It’s a close. All the Indians have been playing cricket. They’ve been playing in the IPL. It’s always good to have some game time under your belt. There are a few key places South Africa is playing. With Quinton de Kock Opening he is playing. (Aiden) Markram and Rassi (van der Dussen) are playing. David Miller is doing really well at 5-6, and then (Kagiso) Rabada and (Enrique) Nortje are on the backend It is going to be a tight series,” Steyn said while talking to ESPNcricinfo.
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