T20 WORLD CUP TOSS: Proteas recall big guns as Aiden Markram elects to bat

The Proteas have reverted to their first choice XI for the crucial ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights clash against India at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and David Miller all return after missing the last group match against the UAE.

India have stuck to their familiar XI with allrounder Axar Patel again missing out. 

Proteas captain Aiden Markram had no hesitation in electing to bat after winning the toss. 

"We gonna bat first, really a good wicket and lot drier than what we have seen," Markram said.

"The boys are looking in good touch and it's a good place to be at the moment. We have been fortunate to play a couple of games here, this is black soil pitch."

India captain Suryakumar Yadav was also keen to bat first.

"I was actually looking to bat first, but it’s okay. We played here two or three days back and when they were bowling first, there was a little bit in the wicket, so why not take that advantage?" Yadav said.

"It’s a big game, a great occasion for everyone to step up and show their character. It’s a full house tonight, hopefully, and we’ve got a good game for them. It’s the business end now, so you’ve got to bring your A-game.

"We do have three league games, but you have to deliver that punch from ball one, and I think tonight is the right time. We’ll look to bring good energy on the field, follow our good habits, and take whatever result comes our way.

"The pitch looks quite similar to the previous black soil surface we played on, just one strip away, not too much change. We’re happy to bowl first. It’s very harsh on Axar Patel, but we’re going with the same team - just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game."

Both teams enter the Super Eights undefeated, having won all four of their group-stage matches.

TEAMS FOR NARENDRA MODI STADIUM

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.