Why was Avesh Khan replaced by Ramandeep Singh for third T20I vs South Africa?

Team India are in Centurion to play the third T20I on the back of their loss to South Africa on Sunday. Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee ensured that the Proteas levelled the series 1-1 with a close 3-wicket win. For India, Ramandeep Singh is set to make his international debut. 

The 27-year-old was handed his debut cap by Hardik Pandya, much to the applause of his teammates. Ramandeep made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians and played two seasons for the Men in Blue and Gold. After being released by Mumbai, Ramandeep was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders where he won the title in 2024. 

Ramandeep came in for Avesh Khan, who was taken for runs in the last match. The move also means that India wants to make sure their batting order is longer. In the last game, Hardik Pandya waged a lone battle where he scored 39 not out from 45 balls as India scored 124 on the board. 

Aiden Markram opts to field first after winning the toss

For the third time in the series, South African skipper Aiden Markram called the toss right. It didn’t come as a surprise that he chose to bowl first to make use of the better batting conditions later in the game. South Africa also made one change as Nqabayomzi Peter made way for Lutho Sipamla. 

Speaking at the toss Markram said, “We are going to bowl first again. The wicket looks good. Not quite at our best. We are making slow progress. The bowlers did a good job in the last game. The batters need to spend time in the middle and not be too desperate. We have full trust in our batting unit and hope we do something special tonight.”

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav said, “It is okay. We have done well in the last two games while batting first. The boys have come out with clear plans and are executing it, I have been really happy with that. Just be clear, go out and enjoy yourself. These boys have made my job easier. We have one change - Ramandeep makes his debut. Avesh has done well for us but one of the two bowlers had to make a sacrifice.”

South Africa XI - Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(C), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen(WK), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla

India XI - Sanju Samson(WK), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(C), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy