IND vs SA: Hardik Pandya likely to be rested; all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed to join squad

After a morale-boosting T20I series victory over the reigning T20 World Cup holders Australia, India would now be eyeing a back-to-back series victory as they are all set to lock horns with a strong South African team in a three-match T20I series, the first (match) of which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, September 28.

Meanwhile, senior pacer Mohammed Shami, who is yet to completely recover from COVID-19 will not be taking part in the upcoming series and batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda has also been ruled out due to a back injury. 

While Hooda will be replaced by Shreyas Iyer to bolster the middle-order, it has been learned that Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed will join the team in place of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been rested for the series.

Shahbaz is more of a batting all-rounder: A BCCI source

"Is there any seam bowling all-rounder, who can replace Hardik? Raj Bawa is too raw and that's why we kept him in India A for exposure. He will need time to blossom," said a senior BCCI source as quoted by MyKhel.

"Shahbaz is more of a batting all-rounder, who is more than a handy left-arm spinner. He is there just as back-up in case, Axar needs to be rested for a match with six T20I games in 10 days, including travel across the country," the source said.

Hardik Pandya has been playing continuous cricket for a while and he has got some well-deserved rest ahead of the Indian team's T20 World Cup campaign down under next month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might have resorted to the strategy taking the workload management into consideration. 

The upcoming series would be a perfect opportunity for both sides to prepare well ahead of the T20 extravaganza. Just like India, the Proteas have also been playing quality cricket in the shortest format lately.

When South Africa had last visited India in June for five T20Is, the series finished at 2-2 as the final T20I was washed out due to persistent rain.