India leave Axar Patel out of XI as South Africa opt to bat in T20 World Cup Super 8 clash in Ahmedabad

India made the harsh call of leaving Axar Patel out for the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad and sticking to the combination that had helped them defeat Netherlands by 17 runs at the same venue in their final group-stage match. South Africa, meanwhile, made as many as four changes to their lineup after they won the toss and captain Aiden Markram opted to bat.

LIVE | India vs South Africa, T20 World Cup Super 8 match in Ahmedabad

Axar's absence means a second consecutive appearance for spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, who had bowled four wicketless overs against the Dutch for 36 runs but had collected a couple of catches on the outfield to make up for it.

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The spotlight, however, will be on Indian opener Abhishek Sharma's, who is yet to score a run in the ongoing tournament so far after getting for three ducks in as many outings.

The Proteas, meanwhile, brought seam-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen back into the XI for the crunch game against the Men in Blue, who had denied them a maiden World Cup title two years ago in Barbados. Also back in the XI are veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj, seamer Lungi Ngidi and middle-order star David Miller.

India vs South Africa Playing XIs

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

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