Why Jon-Jon Smuts is not jumping the gun

• Bavuma’s injury has opened the door for Smuts who is not thinking about the World Cup, but the next game

Jon-Jon Smuts is not thinking too far ahead to the T20 World Cup in Australia later in 2020 because of the fierce competition for places in the SA limitedovers sides.

Smuts‚ who was named man of the match for his 84 and two wickets in the six-wicket win over Australia in Potchefstroom on Saturday‚ said he would continue to raise his hand whenever opportunities arise.

With Temba Bavuma doubtful for the first of three ODIs against India starting in Dharamshala on Thursday ‚ the 31-year-old Warriors allrounder may get another opportunity at the top of the Proteas batting line-up.

“At the moment I am taking it series by series‚” he said after they wrapped up a series whitewash of Australia.

“We have India next, who are one of the best sides in the world. Many people are saying they are the best side in the world and they are going to be extremely difficult to beat in their own conditions.

“It is going to be a tough test for all of us because we have only played at home throughout the summer.

“I suppose my career over the past five years has taken a bit of a different route. I started out as an opening batter and I moved to the middle order over the last few years.

“Mark Boucher and I had chats and we are probably looking at the middle of the order as a place for me in the national team. He did say that injuries happen in any series and I was fortunate to get an opportunity through an injury even though it was hard luck for Temba.

“I came in at three‚ which is a position I am used to‚ and I guess I haven’t done too badly.

“It is great to be part of this competitive system‚” he said. “Everyone is pulling their weight and you can see by the fact that there have been different man of the match awards and that is exciting to see.

“Over the past couple of years domestically‚ I have really put my hand up with the ball but obviously I had to produce numbers with the bat.

“Boucher has said he can’t select 15 guys but only 11 to go out there and play. He also has to balance the team and there are conditions to contend with also.”

Fit-again all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to India’s oneday squad on Sunday but opener Rohit Sharma, who is recovering from a calf injury, was left out of the three-match series against SA beginning next week.

Pandya underwent back surgery in October 2019 and was in fine form on his return to action in an invitational Twenty20 tournament recently.

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Opener Shikhar Dhawan also returned after a shoulder injury kept him out of the team’s recent tour of New Zealand.

Swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was sidelined with a hernia in 2019, was also back in the Virat Kohli-led side.

India dropped opener Mayank Agarwal, middle order batsman Kedar Jadhav, allrounder Shivam Dube and quicks Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami from the squad which lost 3-0 in New Zealand.