IND vs SA 12bet Preview: 1st T20

After the highs and lows of the IPL, that had us on the edge of our seats for the best part of two months, the focus now shifts to international cricket, where India will be locking horns with South Africa in a 5-match T20 series that see both sides test their squads in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. While South Africa have selected arguably their strongest squad, the Indian contingent sees some of their big names being rested, and also a new wave of young blood being introduced. So will the Proteas derail the Indian juggernaut at home, or will India continue their peerless dominance on home soil?. It all unfolds Tomorrow.

India

The men in blue have been on an absolute roll in the shortest format of the game. They have been on an unbeaten run spanning across 12 games, and could have a world record to their names if they manage to beat the South Africans tomorrow. They’ve won their last 3 home T20 series without dropping a single match, and they will be expected to repeat the same sort of dominance. This will also be a huge test for skipper KL Rahul, who has not had the best of starts as captain on the international Circuit. He will have to set the tempo as the captain as well as India’s leading batsman up the order. In the absence of the likes of Rohit and Virat Kohli, this is a golden opportunity for the rest of the batsmen to grab their opportunities.

South Africa

The Proteas have been a team that has slowly and steadily been rebuilding, and have begun to show glimpses of why they should be taken seriously. They will also have the psychological advantage over the Indians, considering that they beat India in both the tests as well as the ODIs in South Africa, with the ODIs being a whitewash. They’ve selected their strongest squad, and with the perfect mix of youth, experience, and the perfect exposure to Indian conditions, the Proteas will be more than able to inflict damage on a team that is paired with them in the World Cup as well.

Head-to-head

In the T20 format, India and South Africa have faced each other 15 times, with India leading the head-to-head 9-6.

Predictions

While India will definitely be the favorites on home soil, they will be wary about the strength that their opponents possess, and will have to be at the top of their ganes right from the beginning. But with all being said, the men in blue are still the favorites in this game.