IND vs SA 2019: Uncapped George Linde Replaces JJ Smuts For India T20s

Smuts was withdrawn from the squad as he failed to meet the required fitness standards

Cricket South Africa (CSA) made a major change to the T20 squad for the 3-match series against India, scheduled to begin from September 15. Uncapped spinner George Linde has been inducted into the side to replace Jon Jon Smuts for the upcoming tour. As briefed by CSA, Smuts was withdrawn from the squad as he failed to meet the required fitness standards.  He has featured in eight T20Is between January 2017 and February 2018 for South Africa, but he has not played for the side ever since. Smuts had earned a recall to the T20I team after smashing a 60-ball 121 in the final of the CSA T20 Challenge in May this year.

#BreakingNews George Linde receives national call-up, replaces Jon-Jon Smuts https://t.co/43qEMgOz9L #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/xdidVJoISv

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 5, 2019

On the other hand, Linde is currently with the South Africa A team in India and he will be joining the Proteas senior squad upon their arrival in the country. He was able to score a quickfire 52* against India A in the second unofficial ODI of the five-match series and he has also taken three wickets in the series so far. The South African team is slated to depart for India on Friday, September 6. The first T20I will take place in Dharamshala on September 15. Proteas squad for three-match T20I series against India: Quinton de Kock (c), Rassie van der Dussen (vc), Temba Bavuma, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde.