India vs South Africa: The Indian Superstar Virat Kohli Back at His Best

• India lead the head-to-head record against South Africa in T20 cricket with 11 wins to 8.
• India are coming off a 2-1 series victory over Australia.
• India’s batting unit has been shaping up well with KL Rahul and Virat Kohli finding form.

India vs South Africa Odds

India vs South Africa Prediction and Pick

India and South Africa have competed against each other on 20 occasions in T20 cricket over the years. India hold an edge with 11 victories to their credit compared to eight wins for South Africa. India have momentum with them and will be slight favourites to win the first T20I on Wednesday.

India to Win (-250)

India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Dwaine Pretorius/Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Among favorites, India and South Africa tussle for momentum heading into the world cup

India and South Africa are set to collide in a three-match T20I series followed by three ODIs on the road to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia next month. The first T20 international will take place at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, September 28th.

India bounced back from their Asia Cup exit pretty quickly and beat the defending T20 world champions Australia by 2-1 at home. They lost the first game of the series by four wickets but were able to edge out the Aussies in a rain-shortened eight-over contest in the second. India then chased down 188 by six wickets in a closely fought third T20I. Overall, India have played 32 T20Is since the previous T20 World Cup, winning 24 of those.

South Africa have done exceptionally well in the shorter format over the last year or so and they do pose a big threat to India in this series. Earlier this year, they drew the five-match series against India by 2-2. Later the Proteas hammered England by 2-1 away from home, with big victory margins. On the same UK tour, they swept Ireland by 2-0. South Africa have played 10 T20Is this year, winning six and losing three.

Team News

India have decided to rest all-rounder Hardik Pandya and seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar from this series. The left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will get his opportunities and form an attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. Deepak Hooda has some back injury concerns, which could open the doors for Rishabh Pant, who would want to push his case. Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin are the three spin options. Axar was sensational versus Australia and has pretty much sealed his spot in the XI.

South Africa suffered a big blow with Rassie van der Dussen getting ruled out of action for the upcoming event. Rilee Rossouw looks like a prime candidate to replace him at number three. Reeza Hendricks has done well in recent times but the opening pair is set in captain Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock. The bowling attack will most likely comprise Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. South Africa have several options for the number seven spot, with Dwaine Pretorius, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell and Andile Phehlukwayo in contention. Pretorius seems to be the frontrunner.

Key Players

Virat Kohli: The Indian superstar has been striking the ball so well in recent times, it looks like he is back at his best. After scoring 276 runs in the Asia Cup at an average of 92 and strike rate of 148, Kohli performed against a top opponent in Australia as well. The Indian number three struck a sublime 63 off 48 in the third T20I against Australia while chasing a big total. Overall, Kohli has scored 3660 runs in T20 internationals at an average of 51 while striking at 138. Kohli has recorded one century and 32 half centuries at this level.

David Miller: The South African power-hitter has been magnificent in the shorter format this year, performing in the middle order and in tricky situations. He has scored 850 runs in T20 cricket this year at an average of 42.5 while striking at 140.5. The left hand batter had a fantastic campaign in the IPL 2022, smashing 481 runs at 69 average and 143 strike rate. Most recently, Miller led Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League, where he made 170 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 156 while maintaining an average of 57.

How to Watch India vs South Africa