This is the summit clash between two teams who have seldom finished what they started. Over the past three decades, South Africa have often made serene progress through the group stages of World Cups before coming a cropper in the knockout rounds. That this is their first World Cup final – 20 or 50 overs – almost defies belief. As for India, they have also endured a decade of frustration with semi-final exits and final no-shows taking the sheen off dominant league campaigns.
That both go into this final unbeaten is something of an anomaly in itself. Other than their opening game against Sri Lanka and the semi-final against Afghanistan, South Africa have not won any of their matches convincingly. India, in sharp contrast, have only really been pushed by Pakistan. Whether those close shaves have hardened South Africa’s resolve or they hint at a team teetering on the edge will only be known as the final plays out.
Both Virat Kohli and Shivam Dube have been massively disappointing with the bat for India, though any change – Yashasvi Jaiswal coming in, and Kohli dropping down to his customary No. 3 – is extremely unlikely. South Africa must ponder whether to play both left-arm spinners, or bench Tabraiz Shamsi for the extra pacer in Ottneil Baartman. Shamsi has taken more wickets than Keshav Maharaj, but also leaks more runs, so it’ll be a tricky decision to make.
Rohit Sharma has led from the front with 248 runs at an excellent strike-rate of 156. South Africa’s dismal batting numbers – Aiden Markram, their captain, averages 17 – are a reflection of the challenging surfaces that they’ve played on, and Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and company will not make the mistake of underestimating a middle order that has both vast experience and incredible hitting power.
Pitch Report
The pitches at the Kensington Oval in Barbados have generally been better to bat on, especially in comparison to what we saw in the semi-finals in Trinidad and Guyana. That said, a score in excess of 180 has been made just twice in 15 innings during this tournament – Australia’s 201/7 against England, and India’s 181/8 against Afghanistan.
Weather forecast
Stray thunderstorms in the southern Caribbean could affect the start of play on Saturday. There is a 44 per cent chance of rain, though with a reserve day in place, a full game is very likely.
Head to Head
India have a 14-11 edge in head-to-head matches over the years. At the T20 World Cup, they have a 4-2 lead. In their only previous meeting in a knockout game, India won the 2014 semi-final.
Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Ryan Rickelton.
Likely XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi/Ottneil Baartman.
Toss time
The match is scheduled to start at 8:00PM IST, with the toss taking place at 7:30PM.
Live Telecast: Star Sports Network.
Live Streaming: Disney Plus Hotstar.
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