South Africa limited overs captain Temba Bavuma has quashed away the talks of them taking on the ‘B’ side of India in the five-match T20I series starting June 9.
KL Rahul will the Indian team in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma. Former skipper Virat Kohli is also not available for the series as the senior players are on a rest ahead of the one-off Test vs England later this month.
“We don’t really see it as taking on the B-side. We are taking on the Indian T20 side, not the ‘A’ or ‘B’ team or anything like that. So, in terms of going to the game, we will still be as motivated as ever. The competitiveness will be there. The attitude, and mindset of the Indian team, as seen in the last couple of years, has changed,” said Bavuma in a virtual press conference.
“It’s guys who play cricket hard and very competitively. So, whether Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli is not there, the Indian fighting spirit will still be there. We don’t expect to take it easy on us and expect it to be tough and will be approaching in that manner,” added Bavuma.
Bavuma felt that with India rewarding IPL 2022 performers like Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Dinesh Karthik, their objective will be to win the series as the road to Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November this year resumes.
“It’s obviously a new-look Indian T20 team with a lot of guys rested. Lots of young guys who have been given opportunities did well in the IPL. For us, as a team, we won’t be looking at it a bit differently. The guys who have been given opportunities from the Indian side have given good and strong performances and are those who can win games for their country at any given point. In terms of the series, looking to win it and achieve all other objectives as well.”
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