Jhulan Goswami ruled out of T20I series

South Africa, who had beaten India in the World Cup last year, have not been able to compete with the sub-continental side in their own backyard.

The hosts’ batting has been a total failure, folding up for 125 and 124 while chasing in the first two ODIs.

India have troubled South Africa with both pace and spin, whether it was Jhulan Goswami in the series-opener or leggie Poonam Yadav in the second ODI.

While the Mithali Raj ledside in the ODI series, the T20s will witness a new captain in the explosive Harmanpreet Kaur.

Harmanpreet will be assisted by in-form batswoman Smriti Mandhana.

India would also be bolstered by the inclusion of T20 specialist Anuja Patil and debutant all-rounder Radha Yadav and wicketkeeper Nuzhat Parveen in the squad.

The T20 squad also features 17-year-old Mumbai player Jemimah Rodrigues, who had grabbed headlines after scoring 202 in 163 balls in an Under-19 game.

After a rare failure in last ODI, the Indians would be relying heavily on Mandhana to provide a solid start to the innings.

Deepti Sharma and and Veda Krishnamurthy, who made 79 and 56 respectively in a losing cause in the last match, would be hoping to carry on their good form in the shortest format.

India’s success also relies heavily on skipper Harmanpreet and Mithali Raj’s contributions.

On the bowling front, veteran Jhulan Goswami is expected to return to the playing eleven after being rested for the third ODI.

In Jhulan’s absence, the Indian bowling attack lacked sting in the last match as Mignon du Preez scored a valiant 90 to pull off a consolation win for South Africa.