The Proteas are looking to put their disappointing World Cup campaign behind them with a fresh white-ball cricket approach, writes Khalid Mohidin.
Setting the stage
The Proteas T20 squad has always looked slightly different from the ODI XV, with the shortest format being the platform to expose new talent.
Once again the Proteas have decided to expose some new faces using the T20Is against India, but it seems that there was a little more thought involved in the selection process.
What stands out in the Proteas squad is the young spinning all-rounders that were selected for this India tour. Bjorn Fortuin and George Linde both pose a threat with bat and ball, but it remains an assumption that their selections were based on the presumption that in the sub-continent, spinners are vital.
But at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, the small-sized stands are said to allow for winds to sweep across the ground. This could be a vital aid to the fast bowlers who could capitalise from the extra movement they will receive in the air as a result.
The balance in both sides could promote an interesting contest with both sides opting for more all-rounders in their squads.
The Proteas will look to take advantage of what is expected to be an inexperienced Indian bowling attack, while India will look to use their knowledge and familiarity with their home conditions to bamboozle what is an inexperienced batting lineup.
Let’s also not forget that when Virat Kohli plays, there is no way to predict what is going to take place.
Either way, a fiery clash is expected with a variety of fresh talent, for both sides, on display.
READ: “TEMBA BAVUMA IS A WONDERFUL ALL-ROUND CRICKETER”
My Proteas team selection:
If I was the selector, I would pick a batting-heavy side. Having two spinning all-rounders in the squad is a luxury. Linde and Fortuin have proven to be lethal in the South African T20 domestic formats and they add extra batting depth.
Picking Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo will offer the medium-pace options while having the extreme pace of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will pose a threat to any batting lineup.
In the batting department, it is straight forward. Pick all the specialised batsmen available.
1. Quinton de Kock (c, wk)
2. Reeza Hendricks
3. Rassie van der Dussen (vc)
4. Temba Bavuma
5. David Miller
6. Andile Phehlukwayo
7. Dwaine Pretorius
8. Bjorn Fortuin
9. George Linde
10. Kagiso Rabada
11. Anrich Nortje
READ: PROTEAS ARE DETERMINED TO WIN – DAVID MILLER
Possible India starting XI:
1. Rohit Sharma
2. Shikhar Dhawan
3. Virat Kohli (c)
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. Rishabh Pant (wk)
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Krunal Pandya
8. Rahul Chahar
9. Khaleel Ahmed
10. Deepak Chahar
11. Navdeep Saini
READ: “TEMBA BAVUMA IS A WONDERFUL ALL-ROUND CRICKETER”
Watch the pre-match press conferences by clicking on the links below:
WATCH: LANCE KLUSENER PRESS CONFERENCE (1ST T20 INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA)
WATCH: DAVID MILLER PRESS CONFERENCE (1ST T20 INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA)
The Proteas play their first T20I against India in Dharamshala at 15:30 SAST.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
