India Aims to Enhance Its Already Glowing T20 Credentials
Big Picture: India's Historic Year in T20
India has had an exceptional 2024 in T20 cricket, arguably the best year for any team in the format. With 23 wins from 25 T20Is, they have not only dominated the field but also truly embraced the format. Gone is the safety-first approach; in its place, India has played aggressive, modern T20 cricket, and the results have been spectacular.
They achieved comprehensive whitewashes against Afghanistan and Bangladesh at home, and then replicated that feat in Sri Lanka. A second-string side also clinched a 4-1 victory over Zimbabwe. However, the crowning achievement came in June when India went unbeaten to lift the T20 World Cup.
This Friday’s T20I in Johannesburg will be their final match of the year in the format. Having already secured an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series, they will be eager to close out their successful year on a high note.
South Africa, who were also unbeaten in the T20 World Cup until facing India in the final in Barbados, have had a mixed performance outside of the tournament. Despite missing key players at times, their record in bilateral T20I series remains concerning. Even with a win on Friday, South Africa would still have gone eight series without a victory. However, drawing the series 2-2 would certainly be an improvement over a 3-1 loss.
Form Guide:
- South Africa: LWLLW (last five T20Is)
- India: WLWWW (last five T20Is)
In the Spotlight: Marco Jansen and Abhishek Sharma
- Marco Jansen: After recovering from a shoulder injury, Jansen has been South Africa's standout player in the series. While his three wickets may seem modest, his economy rate of 6.41 is the best among bowlers in the series. In a high-scoring series, this is no small feat. He is also South Africa's top run-scorer with 73 runs at a blistering strike rate of 208.57, including a remarkable 16-ball half-century in Centurion, the second-fastest by a South African in T20I history.
- Abhishek Sharma: Under pressure due to a series of low scores, Abhishek Sharma’s performance in the third T20I gave him a much-needed boost. His 50 off 25 balls in Centurion set the stage for a big total. With competition from the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, Sharma knows he must build on this performance to retain his spot in the playing XI.
Team News: Possible Changes for South Africa?
South Africa might consider bringing in local leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter in place of Gerald Coetzee.
South Africa (probable)
- 1 Ryan Rickelton, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markram (capt), 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Gerald Coetzee/Nqabayomzi Peter, 9 Andile Simelane, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Lutho Sipamla
India (probable)
- 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Ramandeep Singh, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun Chakravarthy
Pitch and Conditions: Potential Rain Delay
Johannesburg is known for high-scoring games. The last T20I played here in December 2023 saw India post 201/7, led by a brilliant Suryakumar Yadav century. South Africa, however, collapsed for just 95 in response, with Kuldeep Yadav taking a five-wicket haul. The weather forecast suggests showers around 4 pm local time, just before the toss, but they should be brief, and a full game is expected.
Stats and Trivia: Arshdeep Eyes Record
- India has scored over 200 runs in eight T20Is this year—the most by any team in a single calendar year.
- Arshdeep Singh is just five wickets away from surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
- Aiden Markram has struggled with consistency this year, with only 241 runs in 17 T20Is at an average of 16.06 and a strike rate of 120.50. His last half-century came 28 innings ago.
- Tilak Varma’s 107* in Centurion marked the 21st T20I century by an Indian batter. New Zealand (12) and Australia (11) are the only other teams with ten or more T20I centuries.
India's dominance in T20I cricket in 2024 has been remarkable, and they are poised to finish the year on a strong note.
