Proteas ready to unleash 'fit and excited' Anrich Nortje at India in the T20I series

The Proteas took care of the serious part of the tour by clean sweeping India 2-0 in the Tests. 

They then gave their hosts an almighty fright in the ODIs, chasing down a record score in the second match, before succumbing in the series decider a few days ago. But now they have to lift themselves again for five T20 matches, spread all across the country, as they begin their T20 World Cup preparation in earnest. 

Back in the leadership saddle, captain Aiden Markram is therefore not entertaining any thoughts of his team suffering from home sickness just yet. 

“So, the way the schedule goes nowadays, I guess you wrap up a series, you move on to the next one quite quickly,” Markram said, ahead of the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.

“I mean we travelled (Sunday), got here (Monday) this evening by train and be as ready as we can be for (Tuesday). So, an exciting T20 series ahead.

“It's T20 cricket. It's an entertaining format and that's the brand and the way we want to play.

“We want guys to free themselves up, enjoy the game, let our best skills be on show . Hopefully, if we put a collective sort of effort together it looks like the result will hopefully be a good one.”

A key element to success on a lengthy all-format tour such as this is the infusion of fresh players eager to make an impact. The Proteas are blessed in this department as they welcome back veterans David Miller and Anrich Nortje. 

Miller has not featured for the Proteas since the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final back in March, while Nortje’s absence has even been longer. The 'Uitenhage Express' last international fixture was against the self-same opposition in the cauldron of the ICC T20 World Cup final in Barbados last July. 

Markram is certainly elated to have Nortje back leading the Proteas attack, especially in the absence of pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and left-arm seamer Nandre Burger. 

“It's great to have him (Nortje) back,” he said. “He's been a big player for us in previous World Cups.

“He is fit and excited and ready to play. Whenever a bowler that can bowl as quick as he can bowl it's always a boost to any team.”

The hosts will be without their two batting superstars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who both retired from T20I’s after the World Cup final win, but have been boosted by the return to fitness of Test captain Shubman Gill and allrounder Hardik Pandya.

Gill has not played since incurring back spasms that forced him to retire in the first Test against the Proteas in Kolkata last month, while Hardik had been on the sidelines with a quadriceps injury he suffered during the Asia Cup in September.

"Both (Gill and Pandya) are looking healthy and fit," India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav said.

"He (Pandya) opens up a lot of options, combinations for us with respect to the playing XI. That's what he brings to the table.

"His experience, the way he has done well in all big games, all ICC events, ACC events. I think that experience will count a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the side.”

India also boast the in-form Abishek Sharma, who was the leading run-scorer in the recent Asia Cup, where he blasted 314 runs at an average of 44.85. 

Markram believes the Proteas will be able to contain the explosive left-hander, especially as the skipper has some inside information after playing alongside Sharma at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. 

“I can't give all the secrets away but obviously I've played with Abi before at Sunrisers,” Markram said. 

“He's a great guy and been batting really well as well. So, no doubt it's a big wicket for us and whoever takes the new ball for us, that's a challenge for them to hopefully get him early because he's a match winner when he comes off.”