For the 18-member T20 squad picked for the South Africa series on Sunday, team selectors gave a first call-up to pace sensation Umran Malik and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh. While top names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not in the squad, the 18-man group led by KL Rahul includes both pacers who have impressed in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Full Coverage of the IPL 2022

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran keeper-batsman, has been recalled to the T20 squad, but Shikhar Dhawan and Sanju Samson are still missing. After the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee named the squad for the five-game T20I rubber, fans called for Rahul Tripathi to be included.

Nitish Rana of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was another name missing from the list. Rana, who scored 361 runs in 14 matches during the current IPL season, responded with a cryptic tweet. “Things will change soon,” the left-handed batter wrote, adding an India flag and a target emoji.

Rana last represented India in Sri Lanka, where the Shikhar Dhawan-led side played three One-Day Internationals and as many Twenty-20 Internationals against the islanders. The Delhi player, on the other hand, had three single-digit scores in his three games.

Rana, who made his ODI debut in the final game of the series, only managed to score seven runs. The KKR player was dismissed for 9 and 6 in the second and third T20 Internationals, respectively.

The 28-year-old wrote a note explaining that the tour didn’t go as planned and promising a strong comeback. “We don’t just post our successes on social media; we also post our failures.” This tour did not go as planned or expected, but I have learned a lot in the last three games. I’ve always believed in hard work over luck since I first held the bat in my hands, and this will not deter me.”

“There will be people who say things and judge me, but I will not let anything bring me down.” I’m aware of how hard I’ve worked for it, and I intend to keep moving forward. “I will continue to grow stronger and will return to win big for myself and my team,” Rana wrote on Twitter.

In terms of comebacks in the Indian T20 setup, Hardik Pandya has returned following a stellar performance in the Indian Premier League. While leading Gujarat Titans, the flamboyant Baroda all-rounder has been consistent with the bat as well as bowling a few quick overs.

Hardik Pandya, who has 413 runs in 13 games and bowled nearly 25 overs, will almost certainly be the sixth bowling option for the World T20 in Australia.

India’s T20I squad for the SA series: KL Rahul (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain)(wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar