[In pictures] Ramandeep Singh gets his Team India debut cap ahead of IND vs SA 2024 3rd T20I
Middle-order batter Ramandeep Singh has become Team India's newest debutant, receiving his cap from all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the third T20I against South Africa at the Supersport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, November 13. The 28-year-old has replaced pacer Avesh Khan in the playing XI.
Ramandeep received his maiden call-up to the national team for the South Africa tour and is one of the three uncapped players in the squad. The youngster attracted eyeballs during his stint for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023. Although he managed only 125 runs in his nine innings, Ramandeep had a strike rate of 201.61 and averaged a decent 31.25.
He was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL-winning squad this year and captured the limelight, mainly for his electric fielding. The BCCI shared a few pictures of the same on their social media handles.
He was also part of India A's squad in the recent Emerging Asia Cup 2024, scoring 94 runs in three innings, averaging 47 alongside a strike rate of 191.83.
Ramandeep Singh only debutant for India as South Africa field first after winning toss
Meanwhile, the coin fell in South Africa's favour for the third consecutive time as Aiden Markram opted to field first. With the conditions likely to favour the quick bowlers, South Africa have made one change, drafting in right-arm seamer Lutho Sipamla for leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter.
The Men in Blue won the opening game in Durban by a convincing margin of 61 runs after Sanju Samson's explosive hundred propelled them to 202/8 in 20 overs. However, the Proteas bounced back to level the series in the second match in Gqeberha.
After restricting Team India to a modest 124, the home side struggled to get the job done, succumbing to 86/7 at one stage. However, Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee joined hands to take their side over the line.