India vs South Africa, 1st T20I, Dharamsala: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

India’s home series is set to start at Dharamsala on Sunday, September 15, with the first T20I against South Africa. This is already a preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020, which begins in Australia in just a little over a year. It’s a trophy India hasn’t won since the inaugural edition in 2007, and though they have come close a couple of times, they will be determined to crack it this time.

To that end, they have 27 games to prepare, starting with tomorrow’s first against South Africa. India have a largely young side. For starters, the spin twins – Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal – are missing. The likes of Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, and Washington Sundar will hold up the spin stocks.

Rahul’s cousin Deepak, along with Navdeep Saini, will be the pacemen, along with Khaleel Ahmed, and while the batting is largely what we’re used to, it’ll be interesting to see if Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya make for potent middle order. All in all, it’s an experimental Indian side, one that will hope to make the most of the many matches it has to tune up for the T20 World Cup.

South Africa, meanwhile, are a side in transition as well. Quinton de Kock has been appointed as T20I captain, replacing Faf du Plessis, and the South African management has said he will be groomed for leadership in time for the T20 World Cup next year. Temba Bavuma, considered a red-ball specialist, has been called up and is in like to make his debut, among a host of other young names.

All in all, there is little certainty ahead of the clash tomorrow. India have the firepower, given they still possess the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in their XI, despite their onus on youth. But South Africa have spoken of how a young team can rally under a young captain, so expect anything.

Head to head

In 13 T20Is between the two sides, India have won 8 to South Africa’s 5. However, they are surprisingly poor against the Proteas at home, losing both matches they’ve contested in in India.

Key players

Rishabh Pant (India): Rishabh Pant will be specialist ‘keeper again, in the absence of clarity regarding MS Dhoni’s future, and all eyes will be on him. There is talk about his temperament, but if he fires, he can be the difference between victory and defeat, and given he has come under increased scrutiny recently, it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the pressure.

Quinton de Kock (South Africa): The 26-year-old will captain South Africa in a T20I for the first time, in the start of a new era, and how the dashing batsman performs will make for interesting viewing. Will captaincy affect his individual form? Is he an attacking captain or a cautious one? He has only captained the team twice – in Sri Lanka in a couple of ODIs in 2018 – but plenty of questions remain with him taking up the role full-time.

Likely XIs

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Junior Dala, Tabraiz Shamsi

Prediction

India possess too much might for this young South Africa side – home side to win.