India vs South Africa, 3rd T20I: Match Preview, Head to Head, Playing XI and Broadcast Details

After India’s glorious streak of winning 12 successive T20Is was broken by South Africa in the first T20I of the five-match series, the visitors handed the hosts another defeat as India lost the second T20I in Cuttack. The upcoming match, scheduled at Visakhapatnam, will be a crucial one for India in order to maintain their place in the competition, as they trail 0-2 for now.

The Proteas batters were a force to be reckoned with as Indian bowlers failed to defend the total in both the games. While the first game saw Indian batters putting up a good total of 211 runs on board, at Delhi, South African batters chased it down with five balls to spare and won the game by seven wickets.

On the other hand, Indian batters struggled in the second game at Cuttack, but since the pitch conditions favored the bowlers, they managed to score 148 runs. Thus, it was a decent total for the Men in Blue to defend. Bhuvneshwar Kumar started off brilliantly as he scalped three quick wickets in the powerplay to hand the visitors a major blow, but South Africa chased the target of 149 runs with 10 balls to spare.

It will be a do-or-die situation for India, and the pressure will be on Rishabh Pant who is leading the team in the absence of KL Rahul. With two losses in a row, India needs to win all the remaining fixtures in order to clinch the series. Speaking of the batters, Ishan Kishan has regained his form and is playing well for the side.

Dinesh Karthik, who could not do much in the first game was in fine touch in the previous game and played the finisher’s role. No other bowler except for Kumar has been successful so far, and that is where India is facing the issue. Yuzvendra Chahal, the leading wicket-taker of the IPL 2022 has not been able to perform similar heroics.

Proteas batters and bowlers are in great form, as the players held together as a unit and won the two fixtures. While Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller played the major role in the first game, Heinrich Klaasen was the standout player in the second game. Bowlers are doing well too, as everyone has been sharing the wickets among themselves, providing their side with the breakthrough as and when required.

Pitch Conditions

The surface at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam has favored the batters, and thus the turf will provide more advantage and assistance to the hitter. The batters will initially want to take it easy before going big in their innings. The captain who wins the toss may choose to field first and pursue the target thereon.

Playing Combinations for IND vs SA

India

Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to open, but the latter will have to buckle up and break a leg by playing a good knock. The chances of Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh making their debut are less, and India is already trailing and would not risk the debutants in a pressure game. While the batters need to maintain their composure on the field, the bowlers need to do the major part by defending the total.

Predicted Playing XI: Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

South Africa

With Quinton de Kock healing from an injury, there are chances that the Proteas might miss his services for the next game as well. Thus, Reeza Hendricks will continue to bat up the order alongside skipper Temba Bavuma. The top and middle-order lineup for the visitors is top-notch, and they will look to make it big in the forthcoming fixture in order to clinch the series.

Predicted Playing XI: Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klassen, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje

IND vs SA Head to Head

Played- 17 | India- 9 | South Africa- 8

IND vs SA Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 7:00 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar