Match Details
Date: 02 October 2022
Time : 07:00 PM IST
Venue : Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Ball-by-ball commentary : SportsTiger App
Preview
India crushed South Africa in the first T20I as the Men in Blue won the game by eight wickets. The Indian pace duo of Deepak Chahar and Arshdeep Singh completely wrecked South Africa’s batting order as they dismissed five South African batters within the first three overs. After that, the paltry target of 107 was chased down with 20 balls to spare. The Temba Bavuma-led team will have the challenge to bounce back and level the series when the two teams meet on Sunday (2 October). Meanwhile, India will look to seal the series.
Pitch Report
The Guwahati pitch is a batting paradise. However, there will be a swing on offer upfront. The wicket becomes a bit sticky as the game progresses but there will also be chances of dew. So, it is going to be challenging yet opportunity-filled for everyone.
Team Analysis
India
Rohit Sharma-led India put on a clinical show in the first T20I as they first restricted South Africa to a mere 106/8 in 20 overs on the back of top-drawer performance from Deepak Chahar and Arshdeep Singh. The batters faced some difficulties initially, but once Suryakumar Yadav was in, India were all over South Africa. Yadav and Rahul stitched a half-century partnership and finished the game for India. Both batters scored half-centuries but their innings were contrasting. While Yadav scored 50* off 33 balls, it required 56 balls for Rahul to score 51*. Although it can be argued that the pitch was tricky, Rahul’s approach has been worrisome for India. The batter will look to improve before India starts final preparations for T20 World Cup.
SportsTiger Playing XI of India
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
South Africa
South Africa batters were completely undone by the swing bowling of Deepak Chahar and Arshdeep Singh as four of them were dismissed for ducks. Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, and Wayne Parnell showed some resistance and propelled the team to something to fight for. However, it proved insufficient. But the Proteas bowlers ensured it wasn’t a walk-in-the-park sort of chase. Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell kept things tight in the first six overs. Anrich Nortje also did well enough to remove Virat Kohli. These were the few positives for South Africa. Now, with their backs against the wall, the Temba Bavuma-led team will try to put on a fighting performance and keep the series alive.
SportsTiger Playing XI of South Africa
Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje
Match Prediction
Conclusion
India have momentum with them having defeated Australia in two consecutive games and then South Africa. Meanwhile, South Africa are getting things together. Therefore, the Men in Blue are expected to get a comfortable win on Sunday.
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