The last leg South AfricaTour India The highly anticipated five-match T20 International Series, Start at Cuttack on 9th December.
T20I series between India and South Africa
The series consists of a closely contested all-format tour that secured the one-day international series (ODIS) 2-1 Test series victory. India will enter the shortest format competition in red-hot T20i form having won 13 of the 15 matches they have played this year, including a string of wins in South Africa last year.
This Suryakumar Yadav–The LED side is currently ranked No.1 in the ICC T20I rankings, aiming to build momentum as they defend their crown in the upcoming T20 World Cup. In contrast, the visiting South African side have struggled in T20IS of late, losing six of their last nine matches. With both sides featuring a mix of established stars and exciting young talent, the series serves as an important platform for the T20 World Cup preparations and promises explosive action.
From Silavel to Highest Wicket Taker: Dale Steyn and Irfan Pathan share predictions for HS SA T20I series
1. Experts predict spin dominance and tight t20i series finish
Old cricket greats Dale Steyn and Irfan Pathan Agreeing on a few key individual performers, they made predictions for the five-match T20I series, but it was the final score that stood out. Both experts read the moral of an In-Form In-Form In-Form In-Form Indian as the most likely candidate to top the wicket-taking charts.
Both Steyn and Patan were unanimous in their selection of the highest Wicket-Taker:
“Former South Africa Pacer Dale Steyn and India Ranker Irfan Patan have picked Varun Chakaravarthy, who is available (with star sports x handle) as the lead Wicket-Taker in the upcoming India-South Africa series.”
His faith in the bowler is justified by his surprising remarks against the visitors and his current form:
“The 34-year-old is currently ranked No. 1 in the T20I Bowler rankings. Varun has taken an incredible 43 wickets in 23 T20s over the last two years, averaging 12 wickets in four matches against the Proteas.”
Predictions for the final series score were close, reflecting the competitive nature of the teams:
“Meanwhile, Steyn and Pathan also predicted a 3-2 result for the T20I series. The former has the latter out of the blue to edge out the hosts.”
Read: IND VS SA: 3 South African players who can trouble India in T20I series
2. Batters and six hitters for the series
Pundits have pointed to the batting side, especially in terms of strike rate, an aggressive India opener for the men in blue in the shortest format of the game.
Steyn and Pathan again found common ground when choosing the highest run-scoring series:
“Dale Steyn and Irfan Pathan made a common choice when it came to leading run-getter for the India-South Africa T20I series. The former, both ex-spinners, went with Abhishek Sharma, who matched their run charts.”
This prediction is based on the opening’s recent performance:
“Young, at 196.36 in the 17th innings, Abhishek, Abhishek, Abhishek, Abchek’s ICC T20I Rankings among Batters as Abhc T20I Rankings
But they noted that the left-hander is up against the proteas, batting at an average of 25 in four T20s against the proteas to maintain a high strike rate of over 173.
“Finally, Steyn and Pathan made their selections for the highest six-hitter in the series. Former veteran Proteas left-hander David Miller smashed Indian Skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his maximum in five T20Is.”
Read: IND VS SA: 3 Indian players who can cause trouble in South Africa in T20I series
