SA vs IND 2024/25, SA vs IND 1st T20I Match Preview

On By Littum

Big picture: Rematch of the T20 World Cup final

In a way, Friday’s T20I between South Africa and India is a grudge. The last time these two teams met was in Barbados, in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. India had no business winning that match as South Africa needed 30 off 30 balls with six wickets in hand. But Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Co wrested victory and the trophy from South Africa’s grasp, leaving them heartbroken.

In another way it is not. Many main characters in that finale will not be in action in this series. Of India’s XI for the final, only four – Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh – are part of the current squad. South Africa are also without Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Therefore, this four-game series might look like a no-brainer. But don’t forget, the next T20 World Cup is just 15 months away and teams have already started preparing for it.

India recently faced a shock whitewash at home at the hands of New Zealand, but that was in Test cricket. Their T20I team, which has never been more different from their Test team, comes on the back of a thunderous 3-0 series win against Bangladesh. Continuing their attacking template from the World Cup, they posted a mammoth 297 for 6 in their latest T20I.

South Africa are yet to recover from their defeat in the final. Since then they have lost 3-0 to the West Indies and drawn 1-1 against Ireland in the format. Playing at home now, can they come back?

Form guide

South Africa LWLLL (Last Five T20Is, Latest First)
India WWWWW

In the spotlight: Aiden Markram and Tilak Varma

Aiden Markram has crossed 25 only once in 14 T20I innings this year. His figures in the format are 201, at an average of 16.75 and a strike rate of 118.23. This is in stark contrast to his career figures: average 32.17, strike rate 144.62. On the eve of the first T20I against India, he said he was in a good place mentally. Both he and South Africa would like it to be converted into runs.

A couple of freak hand injuries earlier this year had put Tilak Varma’s career on hold. While he is back in the mix now, the competition has intensified. He was called up for the Bangladesh T20Is as an injury replacement for Shivam Dube but did not get a match. He then led India at the Emerging Asia Cup in Oman, where his returns were unglamorous: 117 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 120.61. Can he step up against a much tougher opponent?

Team News: Debuts for Simelane and Ramandeep?

South Africa can give a debut to all-rounder Andile Simelane. Simelane plays his domestic cricket at Kingsmead, which could be helpful.

South Africa (probable): 1 Reeza Hendricks, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Aiden Markram (capt), 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen/Gerald Coetzee, 8 Andile Simelane, 9 Nqabayomzi Peter, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Ottneil Baartman

India are likely to give all-rounder Ramandeep Singh his T20I cap. Axar Patel should also get a chance after warming the bench during the Test series in New Zealand.

India (probable): 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Ramandeep Singh, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Varun Chakravarthy

Location and Conditions: Runs ‘n Rains

South Africa does not have fond memories of Durban. Last year, Australia whitewashed them in a series of three T20Is, all played at this venue. It’s a high-scoring venue; the average first-innings total in the last seven T20Is here is 184. The weather could spoil things though – there’s a 40% chance of rain on Friday. The last time India were supposed to play a T20I here, in December 2023, the rain didn’t even allow the toss.

Stats and Trivia: Suryakumar’s Strike Rate

Quotes

“It’s been a trying few months now. Obviously we’ve dealt with the reasons behind it, growth opportunities, things that will make cricketers better in South Africa over a long period of time. But as a captain it hurts your pride and I have a lot of pride to wear this badge and want to carry it on and want to win matches and win series for South Africa going forward. Sometimes you have to go through these tough times and hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Aiden Markram on South Africa’s poor bilateral record this year

“It’s always been challenging to play against South Africa, be it in the T20 World Cup or another bilateral. The last time we were here we had a good series. Hopefully we’ll get a game (tomorrow); the last time we missed the game here but yes it’s always fun and challenging and both sides enjoy having the big competition.”
Suryakumar Yadav to play against South Africa for the first time since the T20 World Cup final

Hemant Brar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo