India, South Africa, Centurion, T20I, Match Prediction
India will have a chance to win the series in Centurion (Credits: BCCI)

After a thumping performance in the One-day International series, India started off their Twenty20 International campaign with a bang. Again it was a comprehensive victory and South Africa hardly gave a challenge in all the departments. Southpaw Shikhar Dhawan struck a sensational 72 of 39 deliveries. His innings was studded with 10 fours and two sixes

It was Proteas skipper Jean-Paul Duminy who won the toss and put the visitors in. Rohit Sharma began with some exquisite shots and raced off to 21 in eight deliveries before giving away his wicket.

Dhawan, on the other hand, kept finding the gaps on a consistent basis as India raced off to 78 for two in the powerplay. It was some good bowling performance by the Proteas during the death overs which prevented India over from going over the 220 mark. They eventually finished on 203 for five in their allotted 20 overs.

Read More  RCB vs KKR Head to Head Records in IPL- IPL 2024, Match 10

While chasing South Africa got off to a brisk start provided by JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks. After a 29 runs partnership, it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who removed Smuts with a knuckle delivery and added one more in the form of Duminy with another knuckleball.

However, Reeza Hendricks, on the other hand, played some good shots and kept South Africa in the hunt.

India, South Africa, Centurion, T20I, Match Prediction
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared a brilliant stand with Farhan Behardien who scored 39 of 27 deliveries and kept South Africa in the game.

However, after their wickets, it was a distance too far for the hosts. They kept losing wickets and eventually finished their allotted 20 overs on 175 for nine.

Bhuvneshwar was terrific and finished with a 5 wicket haul for just 24 runs.

Team News:

South Africa –

India, South Africa, Centurion, T20I, Match Prediction
Reeza Hendricks. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The hosts are expected to retain the same playing XI. There is no news on AB de Villiers and if he is declared fit he will definitely be a part of the playing XI.

Junior Dala who made his debut in the opening T20I is expected to retain his place despite receiving some treatment in the previous encounter. Aaron Phangiso who is there in the squad has a chance of replacing Tabraiz Shamsi

Predicted XI for South Africa: JJ Smuts, Reeza Hendricks, JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhan Behardien. Heinrich Klassen, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Paterson, Junior Dala, Tabraiz Shamsi/Aaron Phangiso.

India –

Read More  IPL Live Streaming In India– When and Where To Watch RCB vs KKR Live In India? IPL 2024, Match 10
India, South Africa, Centurion, T20I, Match Prediction
Shikhar Dhawan scored 72 off 39 (Credits: BCCI)

The visitors are also unlikely to go for a change. They have a settled unit.

However, Kuldeep Yadav could be a big inclusion and it was strange to see him being left out after such a dominating ODI series. In that case, Jaydev Unadkat has to bear the brunt.

Predicted XI for India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav/Jaydev Unadkat, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

Here’s the match prediction:

There hasn’t been a single time in the limited overs series that I didn’t predict an Indian win. Such has been the dominance of the Men in Blue that there hasn’t been any other option.

So even, in the second T20I, India will start as overwhelming favourites. In all likelihood, I back them to close out the series on Wednesday (February 21) itself.

Here’s the newsfeed:

SA vs IND, 2018: Virat Kohli posts PDA picture on Instagram

SA vs IND, 2018: I don’t think to appoint Markram as skipper was the right decision: Graeme Smith

A Cricket Expert who loves revolving his life around the game. An extremely passionate music lover who loves singing and listening to Arijit Singh songs.