South Africa vs India: Suresh Raina, Jaydev Unadkat named in squad for T20 series

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday named India batsman Suresh Raina in the 16-man squad for the Men in Blue’s three-match T20 series against South Africa in February.

Raina, who has been overlooked by selectors very often, last played a match in the shortest format in February last year against England.

In total, he has played 65 T20 internationals where he has scored 1307 runs at an average of 29.70.

Raina had appeared for a Yo-Yo fitness in October, which he passed in December.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked the squad for the three-match T2OI series against South Africa. The T20I series will be played after the completion of the ODI series,” A BCCI media release stated.

As usual, Virat Kohli will lead the side, whereas MS Dhoni, who has been criticized by some of the former cricketers due to his performance, has also found a place in the squad.

KL Rahul, who scored two half centuries against Sri Lanka in India’s recent home series in December, has also been picked by the selection committee.

Jaydev Unadkat, who picked up four wickets from the Sri Lanka T20 series, has also kept his place in the squad.

Unadkat on Sunday became the most expensive Indian player in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions when he was bought for Rs 11.50 crores by Rajasthan Royals

The first of the three T20s against South Africa will take place on February 18, right after the conclusion of sixth ODI on February 16.

While the second T20 will be played on February 21, the final T20 will be played on February 24.

India's squad for T20I series: Virat Kohli (Captain) Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur.