Middle-order batter Ramandeep Singh became the latest debutant for Team India, receiving his cap from all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the third T20I against South Africa at Supersport Park, Centurion, on Wednesday, November 13. The 28-year-old replaced pacer Avesh Khan in the playing XI.
Ramandeep earned his first call-up to the national squad for the South Africa tour and is one of three uncapped players in the team. He caught attention during the 2023 IPL, where he played for the Mumbai Indians. Though he scored just 125 runs in nine innings, Ramandeep impressed with a strike rate of 201.61 and an average of 31.25.
He was also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL-winning squad this year, gaining recognition for his exceptional fielding skills. The BCCI shared some photos of the occasion on their social media.
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He was also a member of India A’s squad in the recent Emerging Asia Cup 2024, where he scored 94 runs in three innings, with an average of 47 and a strike rate of 191.83.
Ramandeep Singh is the only debutant for India as South Africa elects to field first after winning the toss
The coin landed in South Africa’s favor for the third straight time, and Aiden Markram chose to field first. With conditions favoring the fast bowlers, South Africa made one change, bringing in right-arm seamer Lutho Sipamla in place of leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter.
The Men in Blue won the first game in Durban by a dominant 61-run margin, with Sanju Samson’s explosive century guiding them to 202/8 in 20 overs. However, South Africa responded strongly in the second match in Gqeberha to level the series.
After limiting India to a modest 124, the Proteas struggled in their chase, falling to 86/7 at one point. But Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee then combined to see their team home to victory.
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