By Herman Mostert.
Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter on Thursday confirmed a 16-man squad for next month’s home T20I series against India.
The four-game series will take place from 8-15 November.
Batting stalwarts Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, as well as spinner Keshav Maharaj, return to the Proteas T20I side for the first international series of the home summer.
Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have also been included after completing their structured conditioning blocks.
Elsewhere, Western Province all-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana has received his maiden call-up. The 24-year-old impressed in this season’s CSA T20 Challenge with 12 wickets at an average of 14.08.
He is joined by uncapped Dolphins all-rounder Andile Simelane, who was part of the squad that toured the United Arab Emirates in September.
Lions quickie Lutho Sipamla has been added to the squad for the third and fourth T20Is. The 26-year-old returns to the limited-overs setup for the first time since February 2021 following an impressive CSA T20 Challenge campaign, which saw him bag a career-best four for 12 in the title-winning final against the Titans last Sunday.
Aiden Markram (captain, Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Donovan Ferreira (Titans), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Marco Jansen (North West Dragons), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Patrick Kruger (Warriors), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), David Miller (Dolphins), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Andile Simelane (Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (3rd and 4th T20Is, Lions), and Tristan Stubbs (Warriors).
Meanwhile, ace fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will be rested for the series, while Lungi Ngidi was not considered for selection as he undertakes a conditioning block in preparation for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins later in November.
“It’s both an exciting and important series for us as we continue to build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026. The squad has a nice mix of youth and experience, and I am looking forward to seeing us deliver some quality performances against a very attacking Indian T20 outfit,” Walter said in a statement.
“We continue to drive our broader priorities of exposing our high-potential players to quality opposition as we look to widen our base of internationally ready players, whilst at the same time understanding that our main objectives as always are to play a brand of cricket that excites our supporters and wins games of cricket for South Africa.”
Friday, 08 November – 17:00
South Africa v India – Kingsmead, Durban
Sunday, 10 November – 16:00
South Africa vs India – St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Wednesday, 13 November – 17:00
South Africa v India – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Friday, 15 November – 17:00
South Africa v India – Wanderers, Johannesburg
The Proteas’ T20 squad will convene in Durban on Monday (4 November).
Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs are currently in Bangladesh for the ongoing Test series and will join the squad next Wednesday (6 November).