Clash of Kingsmead: India, South Africa clash with their massive powerhouses in explosive T20 showdown - Mumbai Mirror
DURBAN, South Africa — Here and on Friday, Kingsmead will host the first of four T20Is from India in a tour that promises loads of exciting action from both camps with match-winning line-ups. It will be the first T20I at this iconic venue for India, who have previously been at Kingsmead only back in 2007 when they defeated Australia in their T20 World Cup semifinal and fans looked forward to the return of the team.
India will be about as they were minus a few forced changes. They still have that good balance of experience and emerging players, except for a few enforced changes. Riyan Parag, Mayank Yadav, and Shivam Dube are ruled out with injury as the door opens to Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Dayal. They have done pretty well at home and this is a match they may really hope to do themselves justice in.
Preview of Playing XI of India
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson (Wk)
Suryakumar Yadav (c)
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Rinku Singh
Axar Patel
Vijaykumar Vyshak
Avesh Khan
Varun Chakaravarthy or R Bishnoi
Arshdeep Singh
India will also have a good balance of powerful hitters and steady bowlers. Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya, among others, are experienced players who can play important roles in the side. Suryakumar Yadav will lead from the front with his aggressive batting style that has become a trademark of this batman. Axar Patel is an all-round player, while Arshdeep Singh will provide left-arm pace with more swing. The choice between Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi will add much-needed variety to the spin attack.
South Africa Playing XI Prediction:
Reeza Hendricks
Ryan Rickelton (Wicketkeeper)
Aiden Markram (Captain)
Tristan Stubbs
Heinrich Klaasen
David Miller
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Gerald Coetzee
Nqabayomzi Peter
Ottneil Baartman
South Africa, under the captaincy of Aiden Markram, has a well-balanced side with strong batters and good all-rounders. Players like David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen give depth, while Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen will control and take wickets.
India's Playing XI for the Series:
Batsmen: Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh
Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Vijaykumar Vyshak
Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Dayal, Ravi Bishnoi
Reserve Players: Ramandeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma
South Africa's Team for the Series:
Batsmen: Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller
Wicketkeeper: Ryan Rickelton
All-Rounders: Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter
Bowlers: Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman
Reserve Players: Donovan Ferreira, Mihlali Mpongwana, Patrick Kruger
Key Points to the Game:
Venue History: Kingsmead, Durban has some special memories for India; it was here that they clinched a memorable T20 World Cup semi-final win in 2007.
Batting Firepower: Both teams are side with aggressive top orders. India will look at Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson for quick-fire starts, where Aiden Markram and David Miller will be the charge carriers for South Africa.
Bowling Strategy: The Durban conditions should suit both these teams as the variety of spin and pace bowling can be expected. India would considerably depend upon their attacking spinners, either Chakaravarthy or Bishnoi, and Axar Patel, for whom South Africa would be eyeing their prolific Keshav Maharaj.
An exciting affair is promised in the first T20I at Kingsmead when the two teams will be looking for an early lead in the series. Fans can look forward to thrilling cricket from the two outfits as India looks to get off on a firm footing, while South Africa will look to impose themselves on their home turf.
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