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Predictions 1st T20: India vs South Africa
India will take on South Africa in the first T20I here at the Greenfield International Stadium on Wednesday (September 28).
In heir last encounter, India beat South Africa by 82 runs
Current form
India are coming off a confidence-boosting win against Australia in the last game.
Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli scored half-centuries before Hardik Pandya struck an unbeaten 25 off 16 as India clinched the third T20I to seal the series 2-1.
South Africa come into this series on the back of a four-match winning streak in T20 cricket.
They clinched series victories against both England and Ireland.
Head to Head
Both the teams have faced each other 20 times in T20 matches.
Here, the Indian team has a slight edge as it has won 11 of these 20 matches.
SA has won 8 of these encounters.
Team News
Hardik Pandya has been rested from the series.
Deepak Hooda has been ruled out of the series due to back injury.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will open the innings. Virat Kohli will bat at the one-down position.
Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant will handle the middle-order.
Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal will be the main spinners.
Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel will most likely, lead the pace attack for India.
For South Africa, Rassie Van Der Dussen will be out due to injury. This weakens their middle order.
Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock will most probably open the innings.
Temba Bavuma will bat at the one-down position.
Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs will form the middle-order.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will be take care of the spin department.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will lead the pace attack.
Who will win
India is peaking at just the right time.
Virat’s return to form is a huge plus for India.
Van Dussen’s injury will hurt South Africa though they have a potent bowling attack.
Our prediction is, India will win.