We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report for India vs South Africa, 1st T20I
In 6 T20Is at Arun Jaitley Stadium, there have been 6 scores above 150 runs. The pitch has been good to bat on, with the chasing team winning 50% of the games. Given the scorching weather in Delhi lately, the pitch is likely to be dry.
Injury Update
KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav have been ruled out due to injuries.
Probable Playing XI for India and South Africa
Probable XI for India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal
Probable XI for South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Power Players for India vs South Africa 1st T20I
Only three weeks ago did Quinton de Kock hit an unbeaten 140 off 70 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Against India in the format, his scores read 6, 52, and 79*.
Hardik Pandya is back – and back with his all-round skills. He scored 487 runs at 44 for Gujarat, and is not only back to bowling but is also significantly effective: he took a three-wicket haul in the all-important final. For India, he has scored 1,286 runs and taken 42 wickets.
Smart Picks for India vs South Africa 1st T20I
With 27 wickets in 17 games, Yuzvendra Chahal was the highest wicket-taker in the Indian T20 League. He is also the highest wicket-taker (68) for India in the format.
The pace duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will be a force to reckon with. They have nearly 300 wickets in T20 cricket.
David Miller has been in the peak of his form in 2022. He scored 193 runs in a mere 6 games in the South African T20 Cup and followed it up by accumulating 481 runs in 16 games in the Indian T20 League.
Another South African who was at his best in the league was Aiden Markram. His 381 runs came at an average of 48. Although he was not efficient with his part-time off-spinners, he is likely to be in the thick of things in this five-T20I series.
Also Read: Best Fantasy Cricket Strategies 2022
Shreyas Iyer’s scores in the last five T20Is read 25, 25, 57*, 74*, and 73*. He will play a key role at No.3, especially in the absence of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav.
Rassie van der Dussen has already made a big impact in his short T20I career. He has scored 933 at a whopping average of 39. He was also South Africa’s highest run-scorer in the 2021 World Cup.
Bowling for India at the death will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel. While Bhuvi is known for his yorkers, Harshal has a reputation for deceiving the batters with change-in-pace deliveries. They took 23 wickets between them in the Indian T20 League.
India vs South Africa Match Preview
India have won 9 of 15 T20Is against South Africa, of which only 1 of 3 have come at home. While India beat West Indies and Sri Lanka at home earlier this year, South Africa haven’t played T20Is since the World T20. Given the quality and experience of both sides, the series is likely to be nothing less than a spectacle.
Time: June 9, 7 PM IST