Sanju Samson has replaced an injured Shubman Gill in India’s playing eleven, while Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar make their return as South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.
India currently leads the five-match series 2-1, following the abandonment of the fourth T20I in Lucknow due to excessive fog. Sundar replaces Kuldeep Yadav, and Bumrah returns at his home venue in place of Harshit Rana.
The BCCI issued a statement noting that Gill sustained an impact injury to his right foot while batting in the nets on December 16 in Lucknow. Although he is improving, he was unavailable for selection for this match.
“The wicket looks good, there won’t be dew and we want to put runs on the board. It (the stadium) almost feels full. Let’s see what we want from this game, yes the series is on the line, but it is about expressing yourself and enjoying the game,” said India skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram announced that left-arm spinner George Linde replaces fast bowler Anrich Nortje. “The wicket looks quite dew, probably some dew later on and the ball comes on better. There’s everything to play for, focus is on the World Cup and we have quite a few games here. Quite a few good signs with the ball in hand, looking to finish the tour on a positive note,” he stated.
The playing surface for Friday’s contest features short square boundaries measuring 63m and 65m respectively, while the straight boundary is at 71m. The black soil pitch appears dry but firm, with visible cracks suggesting some assistance for spin might be available.
Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottniel Baartman.