After a wash-out in the first T20I and a defeat in the rain-hit 2nd T20I, team India will face South Africa once again in a must-win encounter at Johannesburg on 14th December 2023. To keep the series leveled, India have to win otherwise South Africa will steal the series. Following is the India vs South Africa preview of the third T20I.
India vs South Africa Today Match Preview
Team India has posed good fight to the home side, however, their bowling looks a little weak. They have been leaking too many runs and the proteas batters are not challenged at all. Moreover, the new look side of India have not got much experience to back them. Gill and Jaiswal got out without scoring in the 2nd T20I which made things even more tougher for India.
Meanwhile, for the final T20I, Coetzee and Jansen are likely to be unavailable in order to prepare well for the Tests. So South Africa will also be a little short on experience as we might see Nandre Burger making his debut.
As far as the pitch is concerned, it is expected to rain once again which might help the pace bowlers. However, the boundaries are short and the outfield is quick, so the batters have the advantage there. India need to play the correct lineup and the correct order in order to pose a real threat to the Proteas.
South Africa will begin this game as favorites once again based on their performance in the 2nd T20I.
India Playing 11
India might look to leave out Jaiswal or Gill for Gaikwad. Kuldeep Yadav is also expected to sit out for Ravi Bishnoi.
Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal/Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar.
South Africa Playing 11
South Africa will be missing out on Coetzee and Jansen. Nandre Burger and Ottniel Baartman are likely to be awarded their debuts.
Probable XI: Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottniel Baartman and Nandre Burger.
Head to Head Record
Out of the 25 T20Is played between the two sides, India won 13 matches while South Africa won 11. One game between the two sides ended without result.
Players to Watch Out For
For Team India, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh will be someone to watch-out for. Gaikwad scored 223 runs including his maiden T20I hundred in the series against Australia. Rinku Singh has been clinical in his young career so far. He played a tremendous knock of 68(39) in the first T20I as well to give India a good total on the board. Rinku’s game changing ability is a big threat for the Proteas.
Ravi Bishnoi, the number 1 T20I bowler will be a threat to the batters. He picked 9 wickets against Australia in the 5 match series and looked in good rhythm.
For the Proteas, Reeza Hendricks has been brilliant. He scored a quickfire 49 in the first T20I to provide the perfect platform for the run-chase. Reeza, when given a chance in the World Cup, also played brilliantly. Skipper Aiden Markram has also been in good form. In the absence of Coetzee, Shamsi will have more pressure on him to deliver well as the senior pro. Shamsi bowled brilliantly with figures of 1/18 in his 4 overs. His variety was difficult to pick for the Indian batters.
South Africa vs India Toss Prediction
South Africa is likely to win the toss and they will opt to bowl first again.
India vs South Africa Match Prediction
South Africa will start the contest as favorites with 60 percent chance to win.
