However, India will be without two of their biggest stars—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—who retired from the format after lifting the trophy.
On the eve of the first match, South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted that the absence of Rohit and Kohli eases some pressure on his side.
Markram Opens Up Ahead of 1st T20I
Speaking in Cuttack, Markram said he felt “relieved” not to face the legendary pair but stressed that India still has plenty of talent to pose a serious challenge.
He added that South Africa have prepared “fresh strategies” for the fast-paced T20 format, which demands a different mindset compared to Test cricket. The Proteas aim to play fearless, attacking cricket.
“It’s great that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not part of the T20I side, but still it’s a great Indian team,” Markram said.
“It’s T20 cricket, it’s an entertaining format, and that’s the brand we want to play. We want our players to free themselves, enjoy the game, and let their best skills shine.”
Despite reaching the T20 World Cup final last year, South Africa’s performance in bilateral T20 series since then has been underwhelming, with losses against West Indies, India, Australia, and Pakistan. Still, Markram emphasized that the team will stick to its approach and begin the tour with a fresh mindset.
Interestingly, South Africa has a perfect record in Cuttack, winning both previous matches played at Barabati Stadium. Markram believes this history could boost the confidence of his players ahead of the opener.
Series Schedule:
5th T20I: Ahmedabad – December 19
1st T20I: Cuttack – December 9
2nd T20I: Mullanpur – December 11
3rd T20I: Dharamsala – December 14
4th T20I: Lucknow – December 17
