India’s tour of South Africa got off to a wet start with the first T20I in Durban being called off due to rain. This series is crucial for India’s preparation for the T20 Cricket World Cup 2024, and losing a match on this road to the World Cup is a setback. The Indian cricket team now has only five T20Is left – two against South Africa and three against Afghanistan at home in January – before the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

With the IPL 2024 happening before the T20 World Cup, the Indian think-tank will rely on the league to finalize the ideal 15 for the event. First-time visitors to South Africa, like Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, would have to wait until the second match on Tuesday at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

Suryakumar Yadav aimed to make a winning start in Durban to strengthen his case for consideration as a potential captain. However, rain disrupted the plans, and there wasn’t much the Indian cricket team could do. Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian cricket team captain, acknowledged that Cricket South Africa couldn’t control the weather but offered important advice for international cricket boards.