SA vs IND 2024/25, SA vs IND 4th T20I Match Preview

Huge image: The yr India embraced T20

In a fickle, unpredictable format, India have had arguably the best yr for a group, successful 23 of their 25 T20Is in 2024. It was additionally the yr the place they honestly embraced the format, shedding their safety-first method with the bat to play attacking, modern-day T20 cricket.

The outcomes couldn’t have been higher. They whitewashed Afghanistan and Bangladesh at dwelling and did the identical to Sri Lanka away. In between, their second-string aspect received 4-1 in Zimbabwe. However all that pales compared to their unbeaten run to raise the T20 World Cup in June.

Friday’s T20I in Johannesburg will probably be their final outing within the format this yr. Having taken an unassailable 2-1 lead within the four-match sequence, they are going to be eager to hit one more constructive be aware.

Till they met India within the last in Barbados, South Africa had been additionally unbeaten within the T20 World Cup. However on both aspect of the event, their performances have been underwhelming. One can argue that they had been nearly all the time lacking a number of of their first-choice gamers however the identical could be mentioned of their opponents as properly.

Even when they win on Friday, South Africa’s winless streak in bilateral T20I sequence will stand at eight. Nonetheless, 2-2 is a lot better than 3-1.

Type information

South Africa LWLLW (final 5 T20Is, most up-to-date first)

India WLWWW

Within the highlight: Marco Jansen and Abhishek Sharma

Making his comeback from a shoulder situation, Marco Jansen has been South Africa’s participant of the sequence. He might have picked up solely three wickets however his financial system of 6.41 is one of the best for any bowler within the sequence. That India posted 200-plus totals twice in three video games makes Jansen’s efficiency much more spectacular. He’s additionally the main run-getter for South Africa with 73 runs at a strike fee of 208.57. In Centurion, he nearly pulled off an impossible-looking chase along with his 16-ball half-century, the second-fastest for South Africa within the format.

Having not crossed 20 in his final seven T20I innings, Abhishek Sharma was below stress coming into the third T20I. At occasions, he had seemed out of his depth, particularly in opposition to the laborious lengths, and it appeared he had just one gear. However in Centurion, his shot choice was a lot better as he scored a 25-ball 50 to set the platform for a giant complete. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill forward of him within the pecking order, he will probably be conscious that he can not loosen up after only one good innings.

Group information: Peter comes again?

South Africa may think about bringing again native legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter for Gerald Coetzee.

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

With Ramandeep Singh displaying his worth with the bat in Centurion, India will probably be hesitant to make any adjustments.

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

Marco Jansen has been South Africa’s greatest batter this sequence•AFP/Getty Photos

Pitch and circumstances: Rain might delay begin

Johannesburg is historically a high-scoring venue. The last time it hosted a T20I, in December 2023, India rode on Suryakumar Yadav’s hundred to submit 201 for 7. Nevertheless, South Africa had been bowled out for a mere 95 in response, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 5 wickets. There’s a forecast for showers round 4pm native time, half an hour earlier than the toss. However it’s anticipated to be transient and we should always get a full sport.

Stats and trivia: Arshdeep closes in on Chahal

• In 2024, India have breached the 200 mark eight occasions – the most by any team in a single yr.
• Arshdeep Singh wants 5 extra wickets to surpass Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
• This yr, Aiden Markram has 241 runs in 17 T20Is at a mean of 16.06 and a strike fee of 120.50. The final time he scored a half-century within the format was 28 innings in the past.
• Tilak Varma’s 107 not out in Centurion was the twenty first T20I hundred by an India batter. New Zealand (12) and Australia (11) are the one different groups to have ten or more T20I tons.

Hemant Brar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo