Sanju Samson was not included in India's T20I series opener against South Africa in Cuttack on Tuesday.

Instead, Jitesh Sharma has been chosen as the wicket-keeper batter, a pattern that has continued from the tour of Australia in October-November.

Sanju had been dropped for the last three T20Is in Australia after starting the first two. The first match was washed out before Sanju came out to bat, while he made 2 in the second game.

Sanju made two centuries as an opener, the last time India played South Africa. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open India's innings.

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In the build-up to the match, captain Suryakumar Yadav had indicated that Sanju would continue in the middle-order, an arrangement he was ok with. Now it seems Sanju will have to not just fight for a chance to bat but even play in the XI.

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are back in the side, and join Arshdeep Singh in a three-man pace attack, while the South Africans have gone with four speedsters. India won the ODI series 2-1 after losing the Tests 0-2.

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