India v South Africa T20I series preview: Focus on World T20 as teams fasten preparations

India v South Africa T20I series preview: Focus on World T20 as teams fasten preparations: The stage is set and the world is about to witness some prolific blitz when India and South Africa face off in a 3 match T20 series beginning October 2 up north in Dharamsala. That will also mark the starting of a 72-day long visit for the Proteas which will witness 5 ODIs and the much-awaited Tests later. The game to be played on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, will be significant as it will be the first fixture in the inaugural Gandhi – Mandela series, a noble gesture by the cricket boards of both countries to give their cricketing rivalry immense nationalistic proportions.

The tour will also give us an indication of where the sides are placed in terms of team composition and mark out the key players just months ahead of the big prized event – the T20 World Cup 2016. It is highly unlikely that any of the teams would take it as preparation for the ODIs given it is a proper series and the first time an Indian outfit will be involved in a 3 game bilateral affair on the international T20 stage. Given the batting prowess of the sides, one can expect high scoring encounters and the bowlers being taken to the task.

India

The hosts have always had an upper hand over their counterparts in T20 games, having won 6 of the 8 played so far. India played its 1^st T20 international in 2006 on a tour to South Africa and successfully defended a low total. The home team famously prevented the hosts from qualifying for the World T20 semis in 2007, all credit to some fine bowling and inexplicable Protea surrender, which, by the way, has not been an unfamiliar sight. India eventually won the trophy and cricket were never the same, Young stars emerged who would go on to be superstars in the coming years and there can be no better example than the Indian limited-overs leader MS Dhoni. As they the rest is history.

The men in blue do not play that many T20 games internationally but might be the most experienced players of the format all credit to the IPL. The pressures, intensity and challenges faced during the league are in no way secondary to international games which holds India in good stead.

The batting has plenty of firepowers. If the Proteas think that high scores bother the hosts, then the warm-up game in Palam should be an eye opener. By no means were they facing the A grade of Indian batsmen and still failed to prevent them from cruising their way to 190. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are champion players of the shortest format and even if one gets going the crowd are sure to get their money worth.

The lower order has plenty of firepower with Dhoni and Raina and can take the life out of the best of bowling attacks. Ravindra Jadeja is a notable omission but not a surprising one. His recent form has been anything but impressive and with the selectors placing performance ahead of all considerations the Saurashtra all-rounder was always going to find it tough. Axar Patel, an able all-rounder much in Jadeja’s mould will be hoping to put his name up the list for a World Cup birth next year.

Harbhajan Singh would be hoping to stamp his authority after a disappointing outing in the lone Test he played in Sri Lanka. While it is unlikely that India would go in with 3 spinners, Bhajji and Axar might find it tough to make it to the final eleven as Amit Mishra is likely to be the spinning partner to Ashwin.

Sreenath Aravind, the Karnataka seamer is a surprise entry and will provide the left arm angle to the pace department which consists of usual suspects like Mohit Sharma and Bhuvi. If the wickets assist seamers India might rue going in with a spin-heavy attack.

South Africa

The Proteas were in T20 action in August, drawing a home series with New Zealand 1-1. The conditions here will be substantially different, though. They will also have got a taste of reality when young guns from India made light work of the 190 run total and won the game by 8 wickets the other day. JP Duminy defended his bowlers after the contest, but even he would know that the task isn’t easy.

South Africa have taken a bold step by not including Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn in the T20 team. Though they play regularly in the IPL it is unsure whether the Proteas management is considering going into the upcoming World T20 without their services. The Dharamsala wicket is expected to assist the pacers but not if the teams bowl like they did in the warm-up game.

Faf du Plessis stands nowhere close to MS Dhoni when it comes to captaincy experience, but the Stylish right-hander would have surely picked some tricks from his trade being an integral member of the Chennai Super Kings outfit. Hashim Amla is not expected to try anything fancy and will allow the others to play freely by holding one end up. AB de Villiers will not find the boundaries long enough if he gets going. His faceoff with Ravichandran Ashwin will be one to watch. David Miller is a dangerous T20 player the tourists will hope for a big performance from him.

The bowling duties will be firm upon Kyle Abbot who has impressed in his short career. Kagisi Rabada and Chris Morris can trouble batsmen with sheer pace. But the one to be observed from close quarters will be Imran Tahir. The classic leg spinners has plenty of tricks up his trade and his 4 overs could decide the fate if the game.

Considering the home soil advantage, India will start as favourites but will do well not to underestimate the visitors who have plenty of flair and experience. For now, both sides have the anticipation, energy and that sheer desire to go at full tilt from ball one.

Head to Head

India and South Africa have previously met 8 times in T20 Internationals and India lead the results by 6-2.

Stats to Ponder

1. Suresh Raina from India is the leading run-getter between the two sides with 214 runs in 7 T20Is including a century (101 off 60 balls) in the World T20 2010 in West Indies.

2. The last T20I match played between the two nations was the 2^nd semi-final of the World T20 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. India won the match by 6 wickets chasing 172 for win.

T20I Squads:

South Africa:
Faf du Plessis(c), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Eddie Leie, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, David Wiese, Khaya Zondo

India:
MS Dhoni (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Amit Mishra, Sreenath Aravind.

India vs South Africa 2015 Series schedule

Friday, 2^nd October: 1^st T20I at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Monday, 5 October: 2^nd T20I at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

Thursday, 8 October: 3^rd T20I at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.