RSA vs IND 2nd Match Prediction

RSA vs IND Team Previews

South Africa

We did not get a chance to see the playing eleven for either team since the toss did not take place. This means we know just as much about the two teams as we did before the start of the series! 

South Africa is expected to open with Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke for this series. While Hendricks can be a bit slow to start off, Breetzke will try and replicate the role that Quinton de Kock performed for the South Africans. A strong batting lineup follows these two with Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller fit and available for selection. 

This core of the South African team is the reason why they had so much success at the 50-over World Cup and why we think they are going to be a force in this series as well. All three of the batters are versatile, excellent against spin and pace, while also having the power game needed. 

South Africa has the option of playing Stubbs, Jansen, and Coetzee as their 6,7, and 8 which would give them a lot of depth as well as two front-line bowling options. Thre remaining three spots will go to the bowlers depending on the conditions. 

We think Keshav Maharaj will get the nod ahead of Tabraiz Shamsi and Nandre Burger will be given a chance because of his express pace. The remaining spot could go to Donovan Ferreira, an-all-round option that can float around the order as needed. 

This is a seriously strong T20 side and we cannot believe the bookmakers have them as the underdogs heading into this match.

India

India has been experimenting with playing a pretty new and young team for its T20 internationals. Whether they will continue to do the same even for the T20 World remains to be seen but for the time-being, they have a lot of competition for few spots. 

Shubman Gill returns to the squad for this match and will open the batting. Whether Yashasvi Jaiswal partners him (more likely) or Ruturaj Gaikwad does, remains to be seen. The opening duo will be followed by Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, and perhaps Jitesh Sharma. 

It will be really tough on players like Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma but they are likely to be left out. Ravindra Jadeja is the last really batting option at number seven and will be followed by four bowlers, none of whom can really bat. 

India has individual brilliance in its top order and someone like Gill or SKY can really take the game away quickly. However, the lack of depth can force the team to go into its shell if it loses a couple of early wickets. That is a big disadvantage. 

Similarly, in the bowling lineup India may struggle to match the kind of quality that South Africa has. They have Mohammad Siraj coming back into the team and he will give it a boost but Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Kumar, or Arshdeep Singh are not really at the top of their games right now. 

India has the option of playing Kuldeep Yadav in the lineup also, which would be a brave move in South African conditions.