Shahbaz Ahmed, a left-arm spin all-rounder, made his ODI debut on Sunday when South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the second match at JSCA International Stadium. After winning the toss, Maharaj said that normal skipper Temba Bavuma and left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi had been feeling poorly since waking up and will be replaced in the playing eleven by left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin and right-handed batter Reeza Hendricks. Aside from the duo, tearaway pacer Anrich Nortje replaces Lungi Ngidi for the match on Sunday.
“We’re going to bat because it looks like a decent wicket. Hopefully, we can take advantage of the conditions, appraise them beforehand, and proceed from there “Maharaj stated. Shahbaz, who has been a consistent performer for Bengal and Royal Challengers Bangalore over the previous two years, has been awarded his international debut, replacing leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, according to India skipper Shikhar Dhawan. He also mentioned that off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar has been called up to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad. Washington will play in his first One-Day International (ODI) since the three-match home series against the West Indies in Ahmedabad in February of this year.
He was called up to the ODI team on Saturday as a replacement for injured speed all-rounder Deepak Chahar. “We would have bowled first genuinely because there would be dew in the second innings and we are going to take advantage of it,” Dhawan explained. India trail the three-match series 1-0 and must win on Sunday to set up a series finale in New Delhi on Tuesday.
(source : IANS)
