IND vs SA: 1st T20I Preview – India kick off home season with T20 encounter

In a stream of constant cricket, it may be hard to notice that India’s home season ever had a rest. However, India will kick off their international home season with a three-match T20I series against South Africa. The mini-tour shall culminate with a three-match Test series. The scenic ground of Dharamsala will host the first of the T20Is. India with their batting heavyweights and a talented bowling attack shall enter as favourite against the new-look South African team. Quinton de Kock will lead the side that involves performers from nation’s inaugural T20 league played last year.

Match Info

IND vs SA, 1st T20I: September 14

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala (07:00 PM IST)

Head-To-Head

Played – 13

India wins – 8

South Africa wins – 5

India dominated South Africa in the early years. Most of their initial encounters took place in ICC tournaments. It was in 2015 that these two sides played their first multi-game bilateral series. We witnessed strange results. South Africa defeated India 2-0 in India while India took down South Africa 2-1 in their den in 2018.

Team News

India

Hardik Pandya returns in the squad after he was rested for the Caribbean tour. MS Dhoni remains absent for reasons no one really knows. Whether he is dropped or rested is open to speculation. India’s batting top order is expected to bear the characteristic look. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli shall be the first three names. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and Pandya brothers should complete the core of the side. Deepak Chahar and Navdeep Saini will form the pace pair. The selection conundrums revolve around the choice of spinners and the classic problem of number four batsman.

South Africa

It’s a new-look South African team that includes a lot of fresh faces. Reeza Hendricks is likely to pair with captain Quinton de Kock at the top. The side has backed Temba Bavuma’s potential to turn into a white-ball player so he should feature in the first game. Rassie Van Der Dussen has been a revelation in T20 cricket. The Proteas have an assortment of handy all-rounders. Their pace attack is the most impressive with proven performers. A lot depends on how their spin pair of George Linde and Tabrez Shamsi goes about in the Indian conditions.

Probable XI

India: R Sharma, S Dhawan, V Kohli (C), S Iyer/M Pandey, R Pant (wk), H Pandya, K Pandya, R Jadeja, W Sundar/R Chahar, D Chahar, N Saini

South Africa: Q de Kock (c), R Hendricks, T Bavuma, R van der Dussen, D Miller, A Phehlukwayo, D Pretorius, K Rabada, G Linde/B Fortuin, J Dala/A Nortje, T Shamsi

Players to look out for

India: Deepak Chahar

In the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies, Chahar appeared only in the last match. Opening the bowling, Chahar used the new ball to perfection and his three-wicket haul broke the back of the West Indian batting. His opening spell will be crucial at Dharamsala which is known to be helpful for the swing bowlers.

South Africa: Rassie Van Der Dussen

The 30-year old batsman played his first international match just a year ago. Dussen first earned recognition via his T20 ventures around the globe. Playing for the national team, he has made great impact in his brief career. He already has three T20 centuries to his name, he will be eyeing an international one now.

Stat Attack

Junior Dala has dismissed Rohit Sharma thrice in seven balls while conceding only four runs.

Shikhar Dhawan needs 49 more runs to reach 500 home runs in T20I.