IND vs SA: Deepak Hooda injured, Shami still out with Covid; Shreyas Iyer, Shahbaz Ahmed added to squad

Shahbaz Ahmad and Shreyas Iyer have reportedly been named as Hardik Pandya and injured Deepak Hooda's replacement for the upcoming South Africa series.

While Pandya has been rested for the 3-match T20I series, Hooda has been ruled out with a back injury, as per reports. However, BCCI is yet to release details about the all-rounder's injury. The 27-year-old who made his international debut in 2022 has also been named in the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shami's return to international cricket has been delayed further. After not playing in the 3-match series vs Australia,

the 32-year-old will likely miss the South Africa series as well. The ace pacer had contracted Covid-19 and has reportedly not yet fully recovered.

'Shami hasn’t recovered from his bout with Covid-19. He needs more time, and hence, will be out of the South Africa series. Umesh Yadav will continue as Shami’s replacement for the South Africa series,' a senior BCCI source told PTI.

Shami who last played in July 2022 has been named as a reserve for the T20 World Cup that begins next month.

Rohit Sharma-led Team India is set to play a 3-match T20I series against South Africa starting September 28 in Thiruvananthapuram. This will be India's final T20I assignment before they head to Australia for the T20 World Cup.

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India squad for South Africa T20Is (likely): Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Umesh Yadav, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.