The State of Play
Sunday’s series opener in this three-match contest was washed out – thwarting both teams as they look to analyse their options ahead of the T20I World Cup next year.
South Africa only have two games now before they name their squad. They will use them to give opportunities to several players hoping to further their claims for a place at the tournament in the West Indies and United States in June.
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India have this series plus one more against Afghanistan in January so time is running out, meaning both camps will hope the rain that threatens this game does not appear.
Cricket South Africa will also be desperate for the game to go ahead for financial reasons with a sell-out crowd expected in Gqeberha.
MATCH ABANDONED!
Sadly, today’s KFC T20i game against India has been called off. This is due to persistent rain in Durban 🌧️
See you in Gqeberha! #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/3S68vgn3Ul
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 10, 2023
Team News
Matthew Breetzke will open alongside Reeza Hendricks for the Proteas while Heinrich Klaasen is expected to be preferred over Tristan Stubbs behind the stumps.
Left-arm quick Nandre Burger is likely to get the chance to impress while Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen will play before being rested for the final game in the series.
Suryakumar Yadav will captain India as he did for the recently concluded 4-1 T20I series win over Australia. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not travelled to South Africa for the white-ball series with both men asking to be rested.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi will play having risen to the top of the world rankings for his exploits against Australia.
Shubman Gill is likely to get the nod over Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Expected line-ups
South Africa: Hendricks, Breetzke, Markram (c), Klaasen (wk), Miller, Ferreira, Jansen, Maharaj, Coetzee, Burger, Shamsi
India: Jaiswal, Gill, Iyer, S Yadav (c), R Singh, Sharma (wk), Jadeja, Kumar, Bishnoi, Siraj, A Singh
When and how to watch
The match takes place at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, with a 3pm (UK time) start. It can be viewed on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event with the programme kicking off at 2.30pm.
Prediction
India come into this series on the back of a 4-1 defeat of a fatigued Australia but a trip to South Africa should present a much sterner test. Having spent so long playing in home conditions, it may take India time to acclimatise so expect the Proteas t
