Proteas need to fix batting frailties as T20I action moves on quickly to Chandigarh
India v South Africa | 2nd T20I | Thursday, 11th December | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh | 3:30pm
Thursday’s game is the second of a series of five T20Is which form a key part of the World Cup preparation for both sides.
The Proteas lost the opening game of the series by a massive 101 runs after they were dismissed for their lowest ever total (74).
India are the top ranked T20i side in the world while South Africa is ranked fifth.
Although the result didn’t go their way in the opener, there was still some good news for the Proteas as Anrich Nortje and David Miller both returned to the side after long spells sidelined with injury.
For India Hardik Pandya also returned from injury – he was in fine form as he claimed the Man of the Match award on the back of a knock of 59 from 28 balls.
India has three players ranked inside the top ten of the ICC’s T20I batsmen’s list with Abhishek Sharma (1), Tilak Varma (5) and Suryakumar Yadav (8). The top ranked batsman for South Africa is Dewald Brevis who is 11th.
India have won four of their last five T20I’s against South Africa. Their last two wins over the Proteas have both been by more than 100 runs.
In claiming figures of two for 17 in the series opener, Jasprit Bumrah became the second Indian bowler, after Arshdeep Singh to reach the 100-wicket mark in T20I. He also joined an elite club of five players who have claimed 100 wickets in each of the games three formats – the other players to have managed this are Lasith Malinga, Shakib Al Hasan, Tim Southee and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
Thursday’s game will be the first ever men’s international of any format to be played at the venue.
This stadium was completed in 2021 and has since gone on to host two women’s ODIs.
Weather:
It’s expected to be sunny with clear skies in New Chandigarh on Thursday. In short, it’s forecast to be a pleasant winter day. The temperature will be chilly, with a high of approximately 22 degrees and a low of around 9 degrees. Humidity will be about 45%, with a light northwest wind. There is a zero percent chance of precipitation.
Form (most recent game first):
India: W, NR, W, W, L.
South Africa: L, L, L, W, L.
Key player:
India, Shubman Gill: India’s Test skipper is back from injury and looking to make a point as the only batsman in the top four who is outside the top ten of the ICC’s rankings. That’s not to say that Gill is a bad player, he most definitely isn’t. He failed in the series opener by in the T20I series against Australia prior to the SA tour he was in good nick, with an undefeated knock of 29 and a solid 46 in his previous two innings. Gill’s T20I record against South Africa is not good, he has 12 runs from three innings – the law of averages suggest he is due some runs against the Proteas.
South Africa, Tristan Stubbs: Back in the mix after being rested for the ODI’s, Stubbs came in at three in the opening game. It wasn’t easy but Stubbs looked good while he lasted, making a brisk 14 from nine balls. Stubbs hasn’t been in outrageous T20I form in recent games, but he has reached double figures in every game he has played this year. His highest T20I score of 76 came just over a year ago. He now has 35 T20I innings to his credit and he will be desperate to score a statement three-figure knock.
Verdict: South Africa
The Proteas need to find a way to bounce back after a humbling opening game defeat. They looked good for large parts of the game, but sadly not for enough of it. But they will go away and focus on the positives and look to build from there – if they can find a way to inject some steel into the top-order batting they could seriously trouble the World Champions.
