India and South Africa kick off their three-match T20I series at one of the most picturesque venues in world cricket in Dharamshala.
South Africa were involved in the very first T20I at the venue back in 2015 winning the match against India by seven wickets.
Sunday 15 September 2019 | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala | 15:30
To Win Match
India 47/100
Tie 35/1
South Africa 7/4
India
This match will also be India’s second T20I at the HMCA stadium with most of the matches at the venue to date having been part of the 2016 World T20.
This T20I series will see Hardik Pandya return to the India lineup for the first time since the World Cup as the team begin preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup.
Another part of those preparations is a test of depth in the bowling department with India resting their four white-ball bowling kingpins. Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been rested.
India give more opportunities to spinner Washington Sundar while leggie Rahul Chahar is in line to make his debut. Among the quick bowlers, Khaleel Ahmed and Deepak Chahar get a chance to show they can translate IPL success into achievements on the international level.
The allrounders in the group bring plenty to the party with the Pandya brothers both excellent finishers and Ravindra Jadeja reaching the peak of his batting powers while still bowling well and fielding brilliantly.
South Africa
The Proteas will be lead by Quinton de Kock with coach Enoch Nkwe hinting that he could be given the captaincy again in the future. De Kock has some experienced campaigners in the group but few will have played as many T20 innings in India than the skipper.
De Kock’s deputy for the series will be Rassie van der Dussen who enjoyed a breakout season last term providing SA cricket lovers with some positives from a bleak season.
Debuts are on the cards for spin-bowling allrounder George Linde and left-arm tweaker Bjorn Fortuin with Imran Tahir not picked for the series, though he will be in action in the Caribbean Premier League. The Proteas spin-bowling options are rounded out by Tabraiz Shamsi.
The Proteas will be without Faf du Plessis while also trying to replace Hashim Amla. It seems likely that Reeza Hendricks will open the batting alongside De Kock. Dwaine Pretorius might also find himself batting in the top six with only five specialist batsmen selected in the 14-man squad.
Remarkably after years in the Test team, Temba Bavuma is expected to make his first T20I appearance for the Proteas.
Verdict: India 47/100
Home ground advantage and momentum are all in India’s favour.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
