Big Picture: India's Dominance in T20 Cricket
In 2024, India has redefined dominance in T20 cricket, winning an impressive 23 of their 25 matches. Adopting a fearless, aggressive batting approach, India has fully embraced the modern T20 style. Their journey includes home whitewashes of Afghanistan and Bangladesh, an away sweep of Sri Lanka, and a second-string squad clinching a series in Zimbabwe. However, the crowning achievement was their unbeaten run to claim the T20 World Cup title in June.
As they prepare for their final T20I of the year against South Africa, holding a 2-1 lead in the series, India will look to end this landmark year on another high note.
South Africa’s Mixed Fortunes
While South Africa had a stellar run to the T20 World Cup final, their overall form this year has been inconsistent. Struggling with missing key players, they remain winless in eight consecutive bilateral T20I series. A victory on Friday could salvage some pride by leveling the series 2-2, though it won't end their series drought.
Form Guide
South Africa: LWLLW
India: WLWWW
Players in the Spotlight
Marco Jansen: The standout player for South Africa this series, Jansen has been exceptional with both bat and ball. With an economy rate of 6.41 and a strike rate of 208.57, he nearly pulled off a miraculous chase in Centurion with a 16-ball fifty, the second-fastest in South Africa’s T20I history.
Abhishek Sharma: After a lean patch, Sharma's 25-ball half-century in the previous match was a welcome return to form. With stiff competition for spots, he knows consistency is key to cementing his place in the squad.
Team News
South Africa might bring back local leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter, while India is expected to stick to their winning combination.
South Africa (Probable XI): Rickelton, Hendricks, Markram (c), Stubbs, Klaasen (wk), Miller, Jansen, Coetzee/Peter, Simelane, Maharaj, Sipamla.
India (Probable XI): Samson (wk), Sharma, Varma, Suryakumar (c), Pandya, Rinku, Ramandeep, Axar, Arshdeep, Bishnoi, Chakravarthy.
Pitch and Conditions
Johannesburg’s high-scoring nature promises another exciting contest. Rain may delay the start, but a full game is likely.
Key Stats and Trivia
- India has crossed 200 in eight T20Is this year, the most by any team in a calendar year.
- Arshdeep Singh is five wickets away from becoming India's highest T20I wicket-taker, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal.
- Aiden Markram hasn’t scored a T20I fifty in his last 28 innings, averaging 16.06 this year.
- Tilak Varma’s 107* in Centurion was India’s 21st T20I century, the highest by any team.
India's remarkable T20 run has redefined the format for the team, and they’ll be eager to wrap up this historic year with yet another win.
Updated on 14th November, 2024 by MyFortune11 Team