India vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE score: Rain Could Disrupt T20 World Cup Final Rematch

India vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE score: Both teams enter this series with a point to prove. South Africa has struggled to bounce back from their surprise defeat to India in the T20 World Cup final, suffering a 3-0 loss to the West Indies and a 1-1 draw against Ireland. On the other hand, India’s T20I side is on a 10-match winning streak, though the recent setbacks of the Test team against New Zealand may still linger as they face the challenge of overcoming South Africa in their own backyard.

India vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE score: In what promises to be an exciting rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, South Africa is set to host India at Kingsmead in Durban for the start of their four-match T20I series, marking the beginning of South Africa’s summer season. While there are several personnel changes since the iconic World Cup final, there is an underlying feeling of this series being a revenge contest for the Proteas, who are eager to make amends for their loss in Barbados.

South Africa will continue to be led by Aiden Markram, though they are looking for a replacement for Quinton de Kock, who has opted out of the series. While de Kock is not officially retired from T20Is, CSA is exploring other options for their key left-handed opener.

The opening pair of Reeze Hendricks and Ryan Rickleton will be an interesting combination to watch, and South Africa’s middle order remains formidable with Markram at number three, followed by power hitters Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller at numbers 4-6. This trio, which nearly led South Africa to victory in the World Cup final, will be key in home conditions, where they are well-versed in taking on both spin and pace. India’s primary concern will be how to break their partnership before they can wreak havoc in the death overs.

South Africa is also expected to hand a debut to Andile Simelane, a local all-rounder who could strengthen their batting order, which was a weak point in the World Cup. On the bowling front, they will be without Kagiso Rabada, who has been rested for the upcoming Test series, and Anrich Nortje. The pace attack will likely be led by Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, and Marco Jansen, with Keshav Maharaj handling the spin duties.

India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, has made several changes to their lineup. The explosive opening partnership of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will look to set the tone in the powerplay, capitalizing on the conditions. Tilak Varma is expected to return to the squad, likely to bat at number three, while Suryakumar will retain his spot at number four. Hardik Pandya, an all-rounder, will continue to anchor the middle order at number five, with Rinku Singh acting as a finisher at number six.

In the bowling department, Axar Patel is likely to serve as the spin-bowling all-rounder at number seven, offering both control and depth. India may also give a debut to an all-rounder—either the batting-focused Ramandeep Singh, known for his fielding prowess, or the more bowling-inclined Vijaykumar Vyshak. Both players, along with Yash Dayal, are expected to make their debuts on this tour.

Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan are expected to feature in India’s attack, and their death bowling will be under close scrutiny against South Africa’s powerful batting lineup.

Overall, this series promises plenty of power-hitting, thrilling cricket, and high drama as the two teams face off in what is expected to be an exciting start to the series in South Africa.

Highlights from India vs South Africa 1st T20I:

• India and South Africa face off for the first time since the T20 World Cup final
• South Africa has suffered a 0-3 loss to the West Indies and a 1-1 draw against Ireland
• India is on a 10-match winning streak in T20Is after a shock loss to Zimbabwe following the World Cup final

India vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE score: South Africa’s T20 World Cup stars return

India vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE score: South Africa is fielding seven of the 11 players from their T20 World Cup final squad for the first time in this series. The only absentees are Kagiso Rabada, who has been rested, the retired Quinton de Kock, and Tabraiz Shamsi and Anrich Nortje, who were not selected.

India vs South Africa LIVE: No Gautam Gambhir in India’s dugout

Gautam Gambhir will not be part of India’s dugout for the series, as he is set to travel to Australia ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In his absence, NCA head VVS Laxman will be stepping in, as he previously did when filling in for Gambhir’s predecessor, Rahul Dravid.

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