The caravan moves to New Chandigarh, where India take on South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series between the teams. While India won the first game in Cuttack, South Africa will be expected to come back in this one. The stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, will be hosting its first international match, and hence, its pitch is untested for this level. It will be interesting to see if it plays nicely and the ball comes onto the bat, which is a condition for most pitches in this format of the sport.
India's top-order batters gave them a mild scare in the first game of the series. But Hardik Pandya bailed them out with a brilliant half-century (59 not out). They will hope that their batters, led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, are able to combat the challenges sent their way by the South Africans. If India play spin well in the middle overs, they will be able to set themselves up nicely towards the end, when they can go for big hits and try slogging.
South Africa were left disappointed after their dismal showing in the first T20I, where they were bowled out for a mere 74. They have a lot of experienced batters in their ranks, such as Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram, and this game will test their mettle. The visitors also have a decent seam bowling attack, with Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje leading the ranks. If this trio can combine to restrict the Indian batters to a low score, they will have a big advantage.
Predicted Teams
IND: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
SA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.
Key Players
Tilak Varma (IND): Middle-order batter Tilak Varma showed his class with a brilliant half-century against Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup earlier this year. The southpaw is known to soak up pressure well and can play shots all across the ground. Varma, who hails from Hyderabad, has very strong wrists and can flick the ball well onto the onside. Moreover, he is also a good puller and hooker of the ball.
Anrich Nortje (SA): Fast bowler Anrich Nortje knows India very well due to his experience of playing in the Indian Premier League. Although he is known to be quite injury-prone, Nortje is someone who can be a speed merchant and take on opposition batters purely on the basis of his pace. His ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers does not go unnoticed, and opposition batters often fear playing him in the death overs.
Match Prediction
India are the favourites to win this match. South Africa's experienced batters Markram, de Kock and David Miller have not yet got going and seem likely to do so. Yet, the home team's expertise on these tracks gives them an advantage. India are also ahead of their opponents when it comes to all-around ability. Pandya's inclusion in the squad tips the balance in their favour ever so slightly.