SA20 2025: Predicting Paarl Royals’ Playing XI for their clash against MI Cape Town

Paarl Royals head into yet another season of SA20 2025 with the hopes of winning the title. Indian fans in particular will keenly be looking at the Paarl outfit with former star Dinesh Karthik in the ranks. The 39-year-old becomes the first-ever Indian player to play in the league after having called time on his IPL career last year. 

David Miller will yet again lead the side while the team also has the best batter in the world in current times. Joe Root will be playing for the Royals franchise for a second time after having played the IPL in 2023. The 34-year-old will add more muscle to the Royals who have a host of names to help them win the title.

Here is the likely Paarl Royals XI vs MICT

Top order – Joe Root, L Dre Pretorius

England star batter Joe Root will be looked at to play his natural game and do well with the bat. Root last played T20I for England in 2019 and with the 2026 T20 World Cup more than a year away, Root will be looking to make his comeback to the shortest format. Root’s opening partner Pretorious is known to be a big hitter of the ball and will be a dangerous customer in the powerplay overs. 

Middle Order – Sam Hain, Mitchell Van Buuren, David Miller

Sam Hain has a lot of experience in the T20 format and is known to be a steady player with the bat at the top of the order. Hain has already played two ODI games for England and done well in the limited chances he got. Mitchell Van Buuren is lethal with his big hits and can also bowl well when called upon. David Miller has for long been known as a tremendous T20 batter and the Paarl skipper will look to prove his worth. 

Lower-order – Dinesh Karthik, Dayyaan Galliem, Bjorn Fortuin

Dinesh Karthik will want to lend his experience to SA20 and is a dangerous customer with the bat in the final few overs with his unorthodox hitting. Dayyaan Galliem is a hugely touted all-rounder and has just made his international debut in the T20 format. Bjorn Fortuin is a dependable lower-order batter and a very good spinner of the ball capable of putting breaks on the scoring rate. 

Tail enders – Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka

Afghan spinner Mujeeb hasn’t been in the best of form in recent years partially due to injuries and lack of form. The youngster will look to bounce back and will be a key player for Paarl Royals. South African pace sensation Kwena Maphaka is already being spoken about as a player to watch out for and along with veteran seamer Lungi Ngidi the pair can be too hot to handle for the opposition batters. 

Paarl Royals XI vs MICT

Joe Root, L Dre Pretorius, Sam Hain, Mitchell Van Buuren, David Miller, Dinesh Karthik, Dayyaan Galliem, Bjorn Fortuin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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