South Africa’s preparation for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India received a major blow with the news that fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out due to a left lateral ankle sprain. The 27-year-old, a key member of the South African squad in the recent ODI World Cup, sustained the injury and will undergo rehabilitation under the team’s medical staff.
Lungi Ngidi’s fitness will be reassessed before the crucial Test series against India starting December 26 to determine his participation. To fill the void left by Ngidi, South Africa have recalled 33-year-old left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks.
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Burean Hendricks made his T20I debut in 2014 and has picked up 25 wickets in 19 appearances for the Proteas. His experience and ability to swing the ball both ways could prove valuable for South Africa in the upcoming series. Meanwhile, India have reached Durban, the venue for the series opener, but all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is yet to join the squad.
JUST IN: Lungi Ngidi is in doubt for the two-Test series against India after being ruled out of the T20Is with a left ankle sprain #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/S14kfFGdhe
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 8, 2023
The southpaw, who is also the team’s vice-captain for the T20Is, is expected to arrive in South Africa from Europe along with a few other players. There is also uncertainty surrounding the availability of seam-bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar. Chahar is currently dealing with a family emergency after his father suffered a brain stroke, and he has not yet joined the team in South Africa.
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Despite these setbacks, India will be eager to continue their strong record against South Africa in T20Is. The Men in Blue have won three out of four T20I series played against the Proteas away from home and will be looking to add another victory to their tally.
The first T20I of the series will be played in Durban on December 10, followed by matches in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) on December 12 and Johannesburg on December 14.
