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Massive image: The yr India embraced T20
In a fickle, unpredictable format, India have had arguably the best yr for a group, profitable 23 of their 25 T20Is in 2024. It was additionally the yr the place they honestly embraced the format, shedding their safety-first strategy with the bat to play attacking, modern-day T20 cricket.
The outcomes couldn’t have been higher. They whitewashed Afghanistan and Bangladesh at residence and did the identical to Sri Lanka away. In between, their second-string facet gained 4-1 in Zimbabwe. However all that pales compared to their unbeaten run to elevate the T20 World Cup in June.
Friday’s T20I in Johannesburg can be their final outing within the format this yr. Having taken an unassailable 2-1 lead within the four-match collection, they are going to be eager to hit yet one more optimistic word.
Till they met India within the closing in Barbados, South Africa have been additionally unbeaten within the T20 World Cup. However on both facet of the match, their performances have been underwhelming. One can argue that they have been virtually all the time lacking a number of of their first-choice gamers however the identical could be mentioned of their opponents as nicely.
Even when they win on Friday, South Africa’s winless streak in bilateral T20I collection will stand at eight. Nonetheless, 2-2 is significantly better than 3-1.
Kind information
South Africa LWLLW (final 5 T20Is, most up-to-date first)
India WLWWW
Within the highlight: Marco Jansen and Abhishek Sharma
Making his comeback from a shoulder difficulty, Marco Jansen has been South Africa’s participant of the collection. He might have picked up solely three wickets however his financial system of 6.41 is the very best for any bowler within the collection. That India posted 200-plus totals twice in three video games makes Jansen’s efficiency much more spectacular. He’s additionally the main run-getter for South Africa with 73 runs at a strike charge of 208.57. In Centurion, he virtually pulled off an impossible-looking chase along with his 16-ball half-century, the second-fastest for South Africa within the format.
Having not crossed 20 in his final seven T20I innings, Abhishek Sharma was underneath strain coming into the third T20I. At instances, he had seemed out of his depth, particularly towards the onerous lengths, and it appeared he had just one gear. However in Centurion, his shot choice was significantly better as he scored a 25-ball 50 to set the platform for a giant whole. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill forward of him within the pecking order, he can be conscious that he can not calm down after only one good innings.
Staff information: Peter comes again?
South Africa may think about bringing again native legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter for Gerald Coetzee.
South Africa (possible): 1 Ryan Rickelton, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markram (capt), 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Gerald Coetzee/Nqabayomzi Peter, 9 Andile Simelane, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Lutho Sipamla
With Ramandeep Singh displaying his worth with the bat in Centurion, India can be hesitant to make any modifications.
India (possible): 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Ramandeep Singh, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun Chakravarthy
Pitch and circumstances: Rain might delay begin
Johannesburg is historically a high-scoring venue. The final time it hosted a T20I, in December 2023, India rode on Suryakumar Yadav’s hundred to put up 201 for 7. Nonetheless, South Africa have been bowled out for a mere 95 in response, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 5 wickets. There’s a forecast for showers round 4pm native time, half an hour earlier than the toss. However it’s anticipated to be transient and we should always get a full recreation.
Stats and trivia: Arshdeep closes in on Chahal
- In 2024, India have breached the 200 mark eight instances – essentially the most by any group in a single yr.
- Arshdeep Singh wants 5 extra wickets to surpass Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
- This yr, Aiden Markram has 241 runs in 17 T20Is at a mean of 16.06 and a strike charge of 120.50. The final time he scored a half-century within the format was 28 innings in the past.
- Tilak Varma’s 107 not out in Centurion was the twenty first T20I hundred by an India batter. New Zealand (12) and Australia (11) are the one different groups to have ten or extra T20I tons.
Hemant Brar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
