South Africa take on India in the first of 3 T20’s when the sides meet at the Greenfield Stadium in Kerala on Wednesday.
The Indian team will be captained by Rohit Sharma and are coming off a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Australia in a three match T20 Series.
In the first T20 against Australia, India batted first scoring 208 for 6, but Australia chased the score down with 4 wickets in hand and 4 balls to spare. India bounced back in a rain shortened match chasing down Australia’s 90 for 5 in 8 overs with 4 balls and 6 wickets in hand. The final T20 was a real cliff-hanger with Australia batting first and scoring 186 for 7 as India brought up the winning runs off the penultimate ball reaching 187 for 4 with 50’s from Kohli and Yadav.
South Africa will be captained by Temba Bavuma and were last in T20 action in England where they won the series 2-1.
South Africa have brought over the T20 squad that will go to the World Cup in Australia next month and includes the 3 reserve players.
India hold a narrow edge in the head-to-head stats for T20’s played by these sides, winning 11 of the 20 with South Africa winning 8 and 1 match ending in a no result.
BETTING – Click here to bet
India 5/10
South Africa 33/20
India look well priced here given they are in good form and played their 3rd T20 against Australia just three days before this match. The Proteas may go into this game a bit rusty, but in T20 cricket one great performance can often swing a match so I certainly wouldn’t discourage you in backing the South Africans at the current price of 33/20. I am looking to the other markets for my bets though.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Top Home Batsman, Sharma at 26/10
Sharma failed in the 3rd T20 against Australia, but he has an excellent record against South Africa, scoring more runs against the Proteas than any other Indian player and also holding the highest score in a T20 against South Africa of 106.
Top Away Bowler, Nortje at 3/1
I was very impressed with Nortje in the recent series against England and he is the type of bowler that is usually amongst the wickets.
Most Match Sixes, South Africa at 33/20
While India are likely favourites in this market, South Africa certainly has some big six hitters in the side and if the likes of Miller and Stubbs get time at the crease they could make a mockery of this price.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
