Delhi: It would not be wrong to say that all the matches that Team India has played so far in this T20 World Cup, except the match against Pakistan (although later it also became almost the same), were like warm-ups and only a miracle could stop Team India from playing in the Super 8. Now the first big match is ahead against South Africa who has left no stone unturned in impressing in this T20 World Cup. India vs South Africa match in Ahmedabad is going to be very exciting.
The advantage for South Africa is that they have already played 3 matches here and know the Ahmedabad Stadium and its pitch square better when it comes to this T20 World Cup than Team India. It is not yet known on which pitch this match will be held but the choice of pitch is being watched with great interest. It is possible to use black soil pitch.
Well, the question will definitely arise that why is the match against South Africa a tough match and why are they considered dangerous? There is variety in their bowling line-up. Marco Jensen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Kagiso Rabada are all good wicket-takers. Jensen has developed lighter variations and can make good use of the larger ground size.
They may also bring a surprise. It is very possible that South Africa will start the attack with Markram as there will be two strong batsmen in front. So far, off-spinners Salman Ali Aga and Aryan Dutt have taken the wicket of Abhishek in the first over. Therefore Markram may get this opportunity. For Abhishek, it is important to look at singles as a starting point rather than hitting high-risk boundaries.
Stubbs can also bowl a few overs due to Khabbu being in the Indian line-up. Keshav Maharaj can bowl from that end where the on-side boundary is longer for the batsman. It may also happen that the square boundary is longer on one side and shorter on the other. With the changes, Ngidi, Rabada and Jensen and Bosch with the back of length heavy ball can become a challenge for the Indian batsmen.
It will be interesting to see if India chooses Washington, keeping Quinton, Rickelton and Miller in mind? Markram is dangerous in current form. Arshdeep will have a match against him in the power play. Initially the plan should be against wide line markram outside the off stump. Bumrah will be the most special in this match. India can frontload Hardik and save Bumrah and Varun for Brevis, Stubbs.
What will be the decision after winning the toss? Both teams may think of chasing. India agreed to bat first and have done so in all 4 matches. Still, it would not be a surprise if he decides to field first against South Africa.
This match will be India’s biggest challenge. Ten Doeschate from the team’s coaching staff has also admitted that India is weak in terms of spin for the big matches of Super 8. India have lost 15 of their 31 wickets in this tournament to finger-spinners and have the second lowest overall average (16.4).
His run rate against finger-spin is only 7.23, which is the lowest among the Test playing countries in this T20 World Cup. That’s why, even though India started its campaign with a 17-run win over the Netherlands here,
The T20 World Cup group campaign ended with a win, but there was an uneasiness in the defending champions’ game, despite remaining unbeaten.
This concern arose from the hosts’ poor play of spin, especially against weaker teams like Namibia and the Netherlands. While in Delhi the left-arm spin of Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus (4/20) kept the Indian batsmen in check, in Ahmedabad, Aryan Dutt’s off-spin dismissed aggressive openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan inside the powerplay.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate admitted that the team’s weakness against finger-spin is an issue the team needs to pay more attention to, ‘It’s something we have to focus on, given how much finger-spin we will face in the next three matches. It will be important that we dominate in that phase of the match. Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Sikandar Raza, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase are some of the finger-spinners the Men in Blue will face in the Super 8.
Ten Doeschate feels that the Indian batsmen’s lack of knowledge of playing on pitches that favor spinners has added to this bad trend. ‘The wickets on which India has played bilateral series in the last 18 months have been very good. As soon as spin comes on the wicket it becomes a challenge. When the boundaries are big, the team must have a plan. There is a need to make a game plan to deal with it.
Fun Fact:
Listen to the conversation in a TV interview in Pakistan: Rashid Latif (former Pakistan wicketkeeper and expert these days): If Pakistan plays against India in the semi-finals, we are going to win this time. Nauman Niaz (Pakistan’s most famous and respected cricket writer): Will the Indians play with their eyes closed, or will they blindfold themselves? Rashid Bhai, fear God!
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