Cricket

South Africa vs India: Second T20 International Preview

by
Jason Dewey
February 20, 2018

Batsman faces bowler in front of packed cordon

We preview the second T20 International between South Africa and India set to get underway on Wednesday 21 February at SuperSport Park Centurion.

India’s dominance in the limited overs formats continued on Sunday afternoon at the Wanderers as they cruised to a 28-run win in the first T20 International.

The sides now head up the N1 to Pretoria where they face the Indians in the penultimate match of the tour at SuperSport Park Centurion. Can the Proteas level the series or will it be more of the same from the dominant Indians? Let’s take a look:

South Africa vs India | Wednesday 21 February | SuperSport Park Centurion | 18:00

To Win Match

South Africa 31/20

Tie 35/1

India 51/100

South Africa

South Africa were simply not good enough against India at the Wanderers. It all started off in the very first over as Dane Paterson served up delicious platter of short, wide bowling for Rohit Sharma to feast on. India would plunder 18 off the first over as South Africa’s “star” T20 bowler trudged down to third man with his tail between his legs.

That over would set the tone for the rest of the match as the Indians piled on 203-5 on a flat Wanderers pitch. Paterson would go on to concede 48 runs from his four overs without taking a wicket while debutant, Junior Dala fared slightly better returning figures of 4-0-47-2.

Looking ahead, there’s not really much that Ottis Gibson can do in terms of personnel. Christiaan Jonker could come into the side while there may a temptation to bring in Aaron Phangiso following JJ Smuts’ slow left-arm orthodox spell. It’d be a brave decision to drop Tabraiz Shamsi for a more defensive option, but what other choice do you have when your leggie is going for just under 10 an over?

Much of the batting responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Reeza Hendricks. The Lions’ opener was outstanding against India in the first T20 as he raced to a 50-ball 70. He will need more in the way of support from JP Duminy and David Miller in particular, both of whom failed to impress with the bat in the first T20.

India

It really shouldn’t come as any surprise to see the Indians’ price for this match. They head into the second T20 International with a full strength squad against a rag-tag bunch of South Africans, many of whom have very little experience at this level.

It showed last time out. Shikhar Dhawan played a peach of an innings, cashing in on wayward South African bowling as grabbed a 39-ball 72. He played a very similar innings to Hendricks for South Africa, but actually received support from the rest of the top and middle order, all of whom managed significant contributions.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was outstanding on his way to a maiden T20 International five-for as the South African batting – with the exception of Hendricks and Farhaan Behardien – collectively failed to hand India victory.

Not sure we’ll see any changes to the side that did the job at the Wanderers although one could argue Hardik Pandya’s issues with the ball could see someone like Shardul Thakur crack the nod up in Pretoria.

Verdict: India 51/100

The Indians appear light-years ahead of this inexperienced South African side. They should have very little trouble turning over the hosts once again and are tipped to do so comfortably at 51/100.

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