India's desire to start the process of finding an ideal combination for the T20 World Cup 2024 suffered a minor dent as their first match against South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled after persistent rain in Durban on Sunday.
The think tank will be hoping for clear weather in the second T20I against South Africa in Gqeberha. Even the toss could not be held in Durban and there is a rain forecast even for the second game of the three-match series.
Now only five games are left in the build up to the T20 World Cup in June and the management has a very small window to try out players.
In the current scenario, form in the IPL will carry a lot of weight for selection in the Indian team bound for USA and Caribbean.
The selectors announced a 17-man squad for the series and it is highly unlikely that all of them would get an opportunity in the remaining two games.
Shubman Gill, who was not part of the T20 series against Australia held right after the World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh seem to be the only certainties in the batting order for the ICC event six months later.
Both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad have got runs under their belt but if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma make themselves available for the World Cup, the two fringe players would need a sensational effort in the IPL to make the cut.
The only other series India play before the World Cup is against Afghanistan at home next month. The selectors will be forced to consider only IPL performance for World Cup selection, raising questions over the scheduling of India's T20 commitments before the World Cup.
In the bowling department, multiple spots are up for grabs with only Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, who is not playing this series, straightforward selections for the World Cup.
Deepak Chahar, who was picked for his comeback series, remains in India due to a personal emergency.
Both Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, who impressed in the T20s against the Aussies, would like to carry their good form into the series. Ravindra Jadeja, who went on a break after the World Cup, has also linked up with the squad.
Like India, South Africa too have only five games left to identity their core for the World Cup. Pace duo of Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee were only picked for the first two games. Now with the series-opener washed out, they will only get a single outing before shifting focus to red ball cricket.
India vs South Africa 2nd T20I: Date, Time And Venue
The second T20I between India and South Africa will be played on Tuesday, December 12 at the St George's Park in Gqeberha. The match starts at 8:30 PM IST.
India vs South Africa 2nd T20 Live Telecast Details
The IND vs SA 2nd T20I match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India.
India vs South Africa 2nd T20 Live Streaming Details
Disney+ Hotstar will livestream the India vs South Africa 2nd T20I match on its app and website.
India's Predicted Playing XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa's Predicted Playing XI
Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Nandré Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi.
(With PTI inputs)