India face South Africa at the T20 World Cup on Sunday in a repeat of the 2024 final. Read our in-depth preview here…
When India and South Africa squared up in Barbados less than two years ago, it produced one of the great T20 World Cup finals. The defending champions prevailed on that occasion, and now the sides meet again at the first hurdle of the Super Eight – this time in front of an enormous home crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The stakes could not be much higher. Both sides topped their groups without losing a match, and both face West Indies and Zimbabwe as their other opponents, meaning this clash could effectively decide who wins Group 1 and gets the more favourable route to the semi-finals.
India come in with questions to answer, particularly around their top order. Opener Abhishek Sharma has made three ducks in the group stage, and while bowling coach Morne Morkel has publicly backed him to come good, patience is wearing thin.
Ishan Kishan has been the lone batting bright spot up top, while Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have looked slightly constrained on the slower surfaces prepared for this tournament. Where India remain formidable, however, is with the ball. Varun Chakravarthy has been a revelation, taking nine wickets in four games at a miserly economy rate, and Jasprit Bumrah continues to be one of the most difficult bowlers in the world to score off.
South Africa, meanwhile, are determined to go one better than 2024. They bring a fearsome attack of their own; Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje offer pace from multiple angles, and Keshav Maharaj gives them a quality spin option too. Quinton de Kock leads a batting line-up that includes the exciting Dewald Brevis and the experienced David Miller.
One intriguing subplot: India’s bowling coach is Morne Morkel, while his brother Albie has joined South Africa’s backroom staff as a consultant. Their mother, by all accounts, is unsure who to support!
Team news for India v South Africa
India are likely to bring Axar Patel back in after a rest, replacing Washington Sundar. There is a question of whether Sanju Samson comes in for Abhishek Sharma or Tilak Varma.
South Africa have a full squad to choose from and are expected to name their strongest XI.
Predicted teams for India v South Africa
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje
Where to watch India v South Africa
India versus South Africa starts at 1.30pm UK time on Sunday. The T20 World Cup will be shown exclusively live in the UK on Sky Sports. You can stream it on the Sky Go app. For coverage elsewhere in the world, click HERE for details of your local rights holder.
Prediction for India v South Africa
India have the home advantage, the better head-to-head record, and the most dangerous bowling attack in the tournament. But South Africa are not here to be runners-up again, and their pace attack could expose India’s brittle top order. We lean towards India, but this one could be every bit as close as the final two years ago.
