South Africa’s tour of India this year began on an extremely fruitful note as they won the T20I series 2-0. Beating India in a T20I series is always a massive achievement for any side. In the first game at Dharamsala, the Proteas chased down a huge total to emerging victoriously. The second encounter in Cuttack though was a one-sided affair as they bowled out India below 100. It was unfortunate that the third game in Kolkata was washed out.
South Africa at the moment has an extremely stable and fierce T20I side. With AB De Villiers and Hashim Amla opening, there is an ideal mix of aggression and class at the top of the order. Skipper Faf Du Plessis has a stunning record in the IPL, so Indian conditions should not bother him. JP Duminy is the second highest run getter in T20I’s and is handy with the ball as well. All in all, it’s an extremely balanced lineup. The emergence of Kagiso Rabada with the ball has been the icing on the cake.
Coach Russel Domingo was extremely positive about his side going into the T20 World Cup next year. “With the World T20 around the corner, the T20s in India was quite important for us because conditions in India is what we will be faced with at the World Cup,” Domingo said. “Our ODI and T20 cricket seems to be in a good space at the moment.”
“Unfortunately, the third game was rained out so the opportunities we were hoping to give to Eddie Leie, Khaya Zondo and Quinton de Kock in the T20 format did not take place because of weather,” Domingo added.
With Domingo indeed acknowledging his side’s ability, South Africa are surely one of the favourites for the tournament.