 After a fascinating Test series, India and South Africa head to
Durban for the only T20 of this tour. South Africa have an impressive record in
the T20s at home, while India won the inaugural ICC World T20 in this country.
At face value the worth of this T20 game might seem minimal and team resting key
players, but you can expect both these teams to get competitive when they set
foot in the field.
Click for Live Score Card of South Africa Vs India
South Africa's new era in T20 cricket under Johan Botha got off to a perfect start
which saw them winning two out of two against Pakistan in UAE. This hasn't been
the ideal format for South Africans; they have succumbed to significant losses,
particularly at the bigger tournaments.
But this unit looks well balanced, the rise of L Tsotsobe and Rusty Theron in
this format and given them depth in the bowling department. Youngsters like Colin
Ingram have aided the batting. Hashim Amla is also expected to play on Sunday;
South Africans will be hoping that his presence gives the batting a calm and relaxing
touch.
Graeme Smith who is no longer the leader of the T20 side will partner Amla for
the opening pair. South Africa as expected have rested some key players in the
form of Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
South Africa have won all of their last five T20 matches.
India are having injury problems of their own. Both their openers Virender Sehwag
and Gautam Gambhir have been sidelined by injuries. India might opt to
rest some of the key players for the sole T20 which takes place under lights on
December 9.
India have a point to prove in this format, soon after becoming champions they
lost their way and have not gone past the super 8 phase in the last two ICC T20
World Championships. The game may be small and insignificant in contrast to what
is coming next, but a win is a win and MS Dhoni's men would like to gain momentum
going into the ODI series.
India's bowling looks compact Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth's performance
in the Test series has been healthy, along with Zaheer Khan's gaining of form
and fitness. The batting which is expected to see some unfamiliar face is little
fragile as compared to bowling. Yusuf Pathan, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni
would be the key in the batting department. The teams are well matched and we
could be in for an interesting 40 overs on Sunday.
India have won of two of their last five T20 matches.
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