After a successful T20I series against Australia, India is all set to host South Africa for a three-match T20I series.
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India and South Africa will be meeting for the third time in this calendar year, as the two teams earlier faced off in January and later in June as well.
India lost the ODI series in January while touring South Africa, whereas the T20I series in June was tied at 2-2.
The first T20I of the three-match series in Thiruvananthapuram at 7.00 PM IST on Wednesday (28th of September)
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The match will be telecasted live on Star Sports Network and Hotstar.
South Africa have had a brilliant T20I run since the 2021 World Cup.
They have won ten of fifteen games they have played.
The comeback of Rilee Rossouw has further strengthened their batting, while the presence of Rabada, Nortje, Ngidi, Maharaj and Shamsi make the bowling attack very potent.
On the other hand, this will be the last opportunity for India to work on their weaknesses before the all-important World Cup.
Although the Men in Blue have evolved into an outstanding chasing team, their performance while defending has hit a new low since the Asia Cup 2022.
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will be bowling together for the first time in the slog overs, it’s also a chance for Arshdeep to book his place in the XI.
India was without the services of some of the senior players like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, the last time the two teams faced each other.
But that won’t be the case this time as India will be going into the park with a full strength team and will treat this game as a dress rehearsal before the big dance. [Via Sportz18.com]
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram is a balanced one, The fast bowlers will get some early movement and the batter need to get their eye in before going for the attacking shots. There will be something in it for the spinners as well. The captain winning the toss will look to chase, with a bit of dew expected in the latter half the game.
Total Matches Played: 2
Matches Won by team batting first: 1
Matches Won by team batting Second: 1
Average first innings total: 169
