Interim team director Enoch Nkwe has backed wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock’s ability to captain the Proteas during this month’s limited-overs series against India – and perhaps next year’s T20 World Cup.

De Kock will lead the XI in the absence of batsman Faf du Plessis, who has retained the Test captaincy but was not selected for this three-T20I series.

‘I strongly believe that we have a good enough squad. We have a good leader here. It’s also an opportunity to start building for the future. We know where Faf stands, as a captain and as a player,’ said Nkwe.

‘He’s done great things for South African cricket. We also need to look at what the future looks like. We believe in Quinton, who’s going to be leading the team in this series.’

De Kock captained the ODI team on two occasions last year and boasts plenty of experience in Indian conditions. The hard-hitting left-hander has played for the Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

He will captain a squad lined with four players uncapped at T20I level – all-rounder George Linde, spinner Bjorn Fortuin, fast bowler Anrich Nortje and batsman Temba Bavuma.

‘If you look at the group of guys, we’ve got good enough experience. The captain himself has played a lot of cricket here in India. We’ve got fresh blood that is coming into the squad and that’s very exciting,’ added Nkwe.

‘We’ll be competitive. We want to walk away with a series win. The entire squad is very determined. We’re here to win. We understand that the opposition is strong in their backyard, but that’s something we’re going to leave on the park.

‘The focus for now is this coming series against India. We’re looking to invest in a good foundation going into the T20 World Cup next year in Australia. But we still have a lot of games.’

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