The second T20I between India and South Africa took place on November 10, 2024, at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The match started at 7:30 PM local time, with fans eagerly anticipating another thrilling contest.
Team Overviews
India: India entered the match with a dominant performance in the first T20I, where they posted a formidable total of 202/8, thanks to Sanju Samson’s century and the spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the team aimed to extend their winning streak and secure a 2-0 lead in the series.
South Africa: South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, was determined to bounce back after their 61-run defeat in the first match. The Proteas needed to address their batting struggles and find a way to counter India’s spin attack. With experienced players like Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, South Africa, they were hoping to turn the tide in their favour.
Key Players
India:
- Suryakumar Yadav: The captain and a consistent performer, Yadav’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed was crucial for India’s success.
- Sanju Samson: Fresh from his century in the first match, Samson was expected to continue his aggressive approach and provide a solid start.
- Ravi Bishnoi: The leg-spinner, who took three wickets in the first match, was key to India’s bowling attack.
- Varun Chakravarthy: Another leg-spinner, Chakravarthy’s mystery deliveries troubled the South African batters.
South Africa:
- Aiden Markram: The captain and a top-order batsman, Markram needed to lead from the front and set the tone for the rest of the batting lineup.
- Heinrich Klaasen: The wicketkeeper-batsman, known for his aggressive style, was expected to provide quick runs in the middle order.
- David Miller: An experienced all-rounder, Miller’s contributions with both bat and ball were vital for South Africa’s chances.
- Gerald Coetzee: The young fast bowler, who took three wickets in the first match, was crucial to South Africa’s bowling attack.
Head-to-Head in T20
Total: 28
India: 16
South Africa: 11
Probable Playing XI (Latest Squad and Captains)
India:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Sanju Samson
- Tilak Varma
- Deepak Hooda
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Avesh Khan
- Yash Dayal
South Africa:
- Ryan Rickelton
- Aiden Markram (C)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Heinrich Klaasen (WK)
- David Miller
- Patrick Kruger
- Marco Jansen
- Andile Simelane
- Gerald Coetzee
- Keshav Maharaj
- Nqabayomzi Peter
Live Streaming
India:
- TV Channel: Sony Pictures Network (Specific channel to be announced)
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Pakistan:
- TV Channel: Asports
- Live Streaming: Tamasha App, Tapmad
Pitch Report
St George’s Park in Gqeberha is known for its batting-friendly pitch, offering good bounce and carry. The surface generally favours batters, with high-scoring encounters expected. However, bowlers can also find assistance, especially with the new ball under lights.
Match Scenarios and Predictions
Given India’s dominant performance in the first match and their strong batting lineup, they were favoured to win the second T20I. However, South Africa’s determination to bounce back and their experienced players meant that an upset was always possible.
Match Scenario: India won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total. Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav provided a solid start, with Sharma playing a crucial role in the powerplay. Sanju Samson continued his aggressive form, scoring another half-century, while Tilak Varma and Deepak Hooda added quick runs in the middle overs. India posted a formidable total of 195/5 in their 20 overs.
In response, South Africa started cautiously, with Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram providing a steady start. However, the spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy once again troubled the South African batters. Despite a late surge from David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, South Africa fell short, finishing at 180/8 in their 20 overs.
Match Prediction: India’s strong performance, particularly in batting and disciplined bowling, made them the favourites to win the series opener. South Africa showed glimpses of brilliance, but consistency was key for them to pose a stronger challenge in the remaining matches.
