IND vs SA, 1st T20I: South Africa start as favorites in KL Rahul's absence, says Wasim Jaffer

IND vs SA, 1st T20I: Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has picked South Africa as favourites for the five-match T20I series against India.

Former batter Wasim Jaffer has said South Africa would start as the favourites when they take on India in the first T20I of the five-match series, starting on Thursday in New Delhi. Jaffer termed KL Rahul's absence as a major setback for the Indian cricket team.

Rahul was ruled out of India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa after sustaining a groin injury. In Rahul’s absence, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was named as the India skipper for the T20I series with Hardik Pandya as his deputy.

"If you have to look at both sides, I think SA start as favorites now that KL Rahul is not there. Even though Kuldeep Yadav has got injured, I had my doubts about whether Kuldeep would have played in the first XI in the 1st T20I. But KL Rahul’s absence is a major setback for India. South Africa will start as favorites because they have probably brought their best team. They have a potent bowling attack, and their spinners are quite good," Jaffer said while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

Steyn has predicted a close T20I series between India and South Africa, saying that despite missing a few big games, India have players who have game time behind them.

“It’s a close one. All the Indians have been playing cricket. They have been playing in the IPL. It’s always good to have some game time under your belt. There are some key positions where South Africa have been playing. Opening the batting with Quinton de Kock, he’s been playing. (Aiden) Markram and Rassie (van der Dussen) have been playing. David Miller at 5-6 has been doing really well, and then (Kagiso) Rabada and (Anrich) Nortje at the backend. It’s going to be a tight series," Steyn said while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.