India's tour of South Africa 2024: Top 5 key player battles to watch out for in SA vs IND 2nd T20I

The second match of the SA vs IND T20I series will be played on November 10.

India defeated South Africa by 61 runs in the first game of the four-match T20I series in Durban to lead the series 1-0. India’s emphatic win came on the back of Sanju Samson’s sensational innings of 107 runs off 50 balls.

Scoring the second T20I century of his career, Samson smashed seven fours and 10 sixes to power India to a massive total of 202 runs. Sanju and Tilak Varma (33) added 77 runs for the second wicket forming the base of India’s comprehensive first innings performance.

India’s bowling innings in the second half was led by the spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakaravarthy. The Indian spin twins combined to concede just 53 runs for six wickets across their eight overs.

Trailing 0-1 in the series, South Africa will look forward to an improved performance in all three departments of the game. As the action moves to Gqeberha for the second T20I, let’s look at the top five key player battles before the contest.

Top five key player battles to watch out for in SA vs IND 2nd T20I

1. David Miller vs Ravi Bishnoi

David Miller struggled against Ravi Bishnoi in the first T20I. Miller has a well-known vulnerability against quality wrist spin. Bowling the 11th over of the second innings, Bishnoi kept Miller on a leash, bowling five dot balls in a over.

Considering Miller’s batting order in the Proteas lineup, he is most likely to face Bishnoi again in the second T20I. The hosts will need a better performance from their experienced left-hander if they have to keep their hopes alive for a series win.

2. Surya Kumar Yadav vs Patrick Kruger

Patrick Kruger managed to dismiss Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav in the first T20I, but not without some clear signs of nervousness. Bowling the ninth over of the innings Kruger bowled an 11-ball over consisting of several wides and no-balls.

Despite dismissing Surya on the last ball of the over, Kruger’s lack of control was exposed in their faceoff. It would be interesting to see how SKY lineups against the young South African fast bowler in the next game.

3. Abhishek Sharma vs Gerald Coetzee

Abhishek Sharma has been seen recently struggling with short-length deliveries. His last few dismissals in the T20Is have exposed a major flaw in his technique against the length deliveries.

Gerald Coetzee is known for hitting the hard length consistently. Coetzee also dismissed Abhishek in the first game of the series. Abhishek’s battle against Coetzee with the new ball will test the stroke-playing ability of the young Indian left-hander.

4. Sanju Samson vs Keshav Maharaj

Known for his sharp footwork against the spinners, Sanju Samson took Keshav Maharaj to the cleaners in the opening game of the series. Smashing a blistering century, Samson was brutal against South Africa’s spinners specially Maharaj.

With Maharaj expected to bowl in the powerplay again in the next game, he will need a better strategy to counter in-form Samson.

5. Aiden Markram vs Arshdeep Singh

Aiden Markram has a poor record against Arshdeep Singh in the shortest format of the game. His vulnerability against left-arm bowling was further exposed in the first T20I where Arshdeep dismissed him with an angled delivery in the first over of the innings.

Markram’s form would be the key for South Africa going forward in the series. He will need a better game plan against Arshdeep if South Africa have to get a strong start in the innings.

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