India vs South Africa, 1st T20I – Match Preview

After the ODI series, India will take on South Africa in the first T20I at the Barabati Cricket Stadium, Cuttack, on Tuesday. This would be the first time that a red soil pitch will be used in Cuttack. With India set to play only 10 T20Is before next year’s T20 World Cup, the management would look to close as many roles as possible.

India has tinkered with their playing combination, but head coach Gautam Gambhir recently said that batting orders are overrated in the white-ball format, barring the opening position. Hardik Pandya has returned to the squad after recovering from a quadriceps injury and he has already proven his fitness and form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a brisk knock of 77 runs.

Abhishek Sharma has been India’s star at the top of the order as he has been the flag bearer of the team’s aggressive batting approach. India has embraced the attacking mindset with the bat and there is no doubt that they will continue with the same approach.

On the other hand, South Africa will be determined to come up with a collective effort. Aiden Markram will look to get the best out of his players and players like David Miller, Anrich Nortje will certainly add strength to the visitors’ team.

Runs are expected to flow in Cuttack, and both teams’ batters will be licking their lips.

Head to Head: Matches: 31, Won by India: 18, Won by South Africa: 12, No Result: 1.

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.