Johannesburg – This year, the Proteas have already played India ten times across all formats. Seven of the contests have been won, two have been lost, and one was abandoned due to weather.
On the basis of this fact alone, Temba Bavuma’s squad should be regarded as the clear favorites. And much more so since they’ve won five of their previous six T20I series.
However, on Wednesday in Thiruvananthapuram, they will be the underdogs in the inaugural Twenty20 International of this new three-match series. It is unavoidable while traveling to the subcontinental superpower, where cricket borders on a religion.
After missing the July series against the Proteas, skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli have returned to the Indian squad, making the challenge much more difficult. Both are among the top run-scorers in the history of Twenty20 International cricket and present the Proteas with a whole new task this time around.
Bavuma stated, “As always, we anticipate a competitive series.” We were tested and challenged in all facets of our game the previous time we were here, and I believe we responded fairly effectively.
“However, these are big names with impressive pedigrees, and as you’ve seen over the past few weeks, their performances have improved the team’s confidence. We anticipate that they will take the initiative, but it is beneficial for us to compete with the best. You anticipate that these men will bring a great deal of confidence and X-factor to the team.”
However, it has never been the Proteas’ style to concentrate on the opponent. They typically have numerous “side-shows” and must exert great effort to keep their own concentration. And that is precisely what Bavuma is attempting to do following his exclusion from the inaugural SA20 auction held last week.
“My attention is on the team. As captain, I am still responsible for leading and serving the team. My concentration is on the World Cup and ensuring that we are in the best possible position heading into it. I try not to devote excessive focus and energy to everything else. I am currently focused on providing the team with the finest service possible.
“I’m here to ensure that the boys are in the greatest possible position before the World Cup. All the other diversions and sideshows will be handled on a personal level. However, as long as I continue to wear the team shirt, I will be here to serve and lead the team.
Bavuma’s reaction to the most recent crisis engulfing the men’s national cricket team can only be advantageous for him and his side, as his personal struggle with the returning Jasprit Bumrah might set the tone for the series.
During the previous series, the Proteas captain and squad battled during the Powerplay when Bhuvneshwar Kumar controlled the new-ball exchanges. Bumrah still poses a significant threat to the Proteas’ chances of getting off to a strong start in the T20 World Cup, despite the fact that “Bhuvi” has been rested.
“Facing their new-ball bowlers is quite difficult, as they get the ball to move and swing significantly during the Powerplay. I believe a little, but not more than what we’re accustomed to at home. The objective is to restrict the damage and prevent these wickets from falling, and then to attempt to gain momentum in the batting innings,” Bavuma explained.
Bavuma and coach Mark Boucher have suggested that the lineup for this series is not necessarily the strongest XI before to the T20 World Cup in order to provide opportunity to the entire squad.
Possible teams for the initial T20I:
India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Axar Patel, 7 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8 Deepak Chahar, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
South Africa (likely): 1 Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), 2 Temba Bavuma (captain), 3 Rilee Rossouw, and 4 Aiden Markram. Five are David Miller, six are Tristan Stubbs, seven are Andile Phelukwayo/Dwaine Pretorius, eight are Marco Jansen, nine are Kagiso Rabada, ten are Anrich Nortje, and eleven are Tabraiz Shamsi.