SA vs IND 2024: Why is Yash Dayal not playing the first T20I?

South Africa won the toss at the Kingsmead in Durban for the series opening clash against India on November 08, 2024. Skipper Aiden Markram revealed that the Proteas will be bowling first, thereby inviting Suryakumar Yadav-led India to set a target for the hosts.

Markram reckoned that the wicket seemed good enough to chase down the target set by the opposition, and with the rain being a possibility, the South African skipper wanted to use the moisture present at the wicket as an opportunity to advantage ahead of the Indian team.

"We are going to bowl first. Looks a pretty good wicket. There has been some rain around this week and if there's moisture we want to make use of it. Fantastic opportunity for guys to make their debuts at home and it is a great time for them to enjoy the game. We are quite a competitive team and the discussions have been how can we get positive results, said Markram at the toss.

Meanwhile, pacer Yash Dayal who was expected to be handed his debut, could not make the cut as India went ahead with Hardik Pandya, Avesh Khan, and Arshdeep Singh as the seaming trio for the opening encounter of the series. Suryakumar Yadav explained the idea behind the team combination, saying the combination he has picked for the first T20I makes the job easier for him as a captain and a leader.

"We were looking to bat first. The wicket looks nice, better than the practice wicket, and we will try to put runs on the board. The guys in the dressing room have made my job easier, the fearless approach they play with for their respective franchises and have brought the same approach to the team," the India captain was quoted as saying at the toss.

SA vs IND 2024, 1st T20I - Playing XIs

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan