The much-awaited final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will feature a thrilling clash between South Africa and India. This grand final is scheduled to take place at the historic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 29th, starting at 8pm IST.
SA vs IND, final preview
South Africa enter the final with significant momentum, having secured an impressive nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the previous match. Key to this success was the performance of Tabraiz Shamsi, who picked up an impressive 107 Fantasy points, showcasing his key role in the team’s spin bowling attack.
India, on the other hand, put in a dominant performance in the semi-final clash against England, winning by a substantial margin of 68 runs. Kuldeep Yadav was India’s standout performer, scoring 123 Fantasy points thanks to his exceptional bowling skills, which will be crucial in the final.
SA x IND, direct confrontation
In the last encounter during the third T20I of a bilateral series in South Africa in 2023, both teams demonstrated their competitive spirit. Keshav Maharaj was South Africa’s top Fantasy scorer with 65 points while Kuldeep Yadav led the charge for India with a remarkable 187 Fantasy points.
Historically, in the 26 matches played between these two cricketing giants, batsmen from both sides have consistently accumulated the highest number of fantasy points, highlighting the importance of batting skill in this rivalry.
SA vs IND, key players to watch
Arshdeep Singh (IND)
Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, has been in excellent form, taking 12 wickets in the last five matches. His ability to take crucial wickets makes him a key player to watch out for in the final.
Hardik Pandya (IND)
Hardik Pandya, known for his all-round capabilities, has been a vital asset for India. In the last three matches, he has scored 132 runs in the last five matches and taken three wickets with the ball.
Rishabh Pants (IND)
Rishabh Pant, a dynamic top-order left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, has had a mixed run in this tournament, with 171 runs in the last seven matches at an average of 28.50. Despite the inconsistency, his aggressive batting style can turn the game around.
Tabraiz Shamsi (SA)
Tabraiz Shamsi, a slow Chinese left-arm bowler, has been outstanding for South Africa, taking 11 wickets at an average of 9.3 in his last four matches. His wicket-taking ability will be crucial in the final against India.
Quinton de Kock (SA)
Quinton de Kock, a left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, showed his class with 204 runs in the last eight matches at a strike rate of 143.66. His experience and ability to score runs quickly make him a key player for South Africa.
Marco Jansen (SA)
Marco Jansen, a left-arm medium-fast bowling all-rounder, has taken six wickets in this tournament. With the bat, he contributed 30 runs, showing his versatility and importance to the team.
Conclusion
Given their performances in the tournament so far, South Africa will rely on their strong bowling line-up, led by the likes of Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen. However, India’s balanced team, with impact players like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, cannot be underestimated. This final promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams fighting for the prestigious title.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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