After a gap of two years, India are on yet another sojourn to South Africa to partake in a T20I, Test and ODI series. There is always a bit of intrigue surrounding India’s tours to South Africa. Even more so this time around, as India would be playing the T20I rubber with a group of relatively new players.
The likes of Jitesh Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi and the new batting sensation, Rinku Singh, will be eager to show their credentials with the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja, the vice-captain, will be aiming to make a comeback into the T20I side.
The squad also comprises a few of the all-format regulars like Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj. In the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya, who has been leading the T20I set-up for a while, Suryakumar Yadav has the extra responsibility of captaining the side. What about South Africa? Under Aiden Markram’s leadership, South Africa are all set to field an explosive batting line-up.
Matthew Breetzke, who seems to have modelled his game on the England star, Kevin Pietersen, is the new kid on the block. Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger will be the two main pace bowlers. Burger is a left-arm bowler, who has a potent inswinger and generally bowls the short ball with good direction.
Can India start their campaign with a win at the iconic Kingsmead? Or will they succumb to South Africa’s batting might in their own backyard? Let the action begin.
Time and Venue Details:
December 10, 2023, 7:30pm IST, Kingsmead, Durban
Expected conditions
Some rain showers are forecast through the day. So, there could be some moisture to work with for the bowlers. The track could be on the slower side. This match will be Wilson Ngobese’s last game as the head curator at the ground.
Teams
India: Jaiswal and Gill are set to open the batting, while Ruturaj Gaikwad might have to wait for his chance.
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa: With Lungi Ngidi not part of the series due to an ankle issue, Burger could make his South Africa debut.
Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Match-up
Nandre Burger v Shubman Gill: The left-arm pacer has a good inswinger and Gill isn’t exactly known for his loading up his back foot and releasing his front foot early. This could turn out to be an interesting battle.
Teams speak
“You’d like to know them on a deeper level before going into the series with them. We’ve had a few good days together trying to get to know them and understanding what makes them tick. The nature of cricket is that series come thick and fast and there’ll be times when new guys are in and they are going to have to find their feet quickly, and we are going to do our best to help them settle down and be as relaxed as they can be in the environment. It’s a tricky one but the group we have here is a great bunch of guys.” – Aiden Markram, South Africa captain.
“The guys I’m watching in T20 cricket right now are very expressive. They don’t have a lot of fear of failure. Whatever happens – if they do well or if they don’t get runs on that given day – their attitude remains the same on and off the field. That balance is really important when you play this sport.” – Suryakumar Yadav, India captain.