India's Tour Of South Africa 2023, 2nd T20I: Three Key Battles To Watch Out For In IND Vs RSA Cricket Match

India will open their tour of South Africa with a T20I at St George's Oval, after the one planned for Kingsmead was washed out by the rain. As both teams look to take an early lead in the bilateral series, here are three key battles that could define the outcome of the game

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 11 December 2023 10:48 am

Shubman Gill celebrates his century against Bangladesh in Colombo

India's Tour of South Africa 2023 will commence with a T20 International at St Geroge's Oval in Gqeberha after rain washed away the originally-scheduled opener in Durban on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Rain could yet derail the second of the three-game contest; but, should the weather gods permit it, the fans watching from close and afar are in for a treat, given the respective pedigree of the two teams in this format of the game. (Cricket News)

India have named a youthful squad for the T20I round of the series, including individuals who shone at home against Australia in what turned out to be a comprehensive 4-1 win. But, winning at home and winning away from it are two different prospects, something that the fresh-faced Indian team will find out soon enough.

David Miller vs Ravi Bishnoi

David Miller will aim to steer South Africa toward a series win AP

The bout between David Miller and Ravi Bishnoi is one where experience will measure itself up against vivacity. Miller, for long the bane of bowlers in all formats of the game, is no stranger to dealing with the kind of spin magic Bishnoi has in his wrists. Yet, for this particular battle, one would say that the scales are finely posed, given the young Indian's recent rise in the field. Bishnoi is the number-one-ranked bowler in the format and will be aiming to retail the crown even after the dust has settled in the series against South Africa. Miller, meanwhile, will have just one target on his mind: helping his team win through whichever means necessary.

Shubman Gill vs Marco Jansen

Shubman Gill bats during IND Vs RSA match in Kolkata X

Once the young-uns of their respective teams, Shubman Gill and Marco Jansen have grown in stature, so much so that the expectations levied on them have altered similarly to display their new roles. Gill will lead Gujarat Titans in next year's Indian Premier League, his first foray into captaincy at senior level, while Jansen, too, is being eyed for a key role by both club and country moving forward. Both players are coming into the series on the back of good performances in the ICC ODI World Cup, and will aim to continue their run of form all the way into the new year. Gill's measured batting against Jansen's terrifying pace will be a battle to behold in the games to come.

Rinku Singh vs Gerald Coetzee

Indias Rinku Singh celebrates after winning the first T20 cricket match against Australia in Visakhapatnam. AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A

A battle of the new boys beckons when India and South Africa meet for the second T20I - but also at the future junctures whenever the pair are scheduled to play. Gerald Coetzee came to India for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 after the Proteas lost their regular pacer Anrich Nortje to an injury. Rinku Singh, meanwhile, burst through the doors and onto the scene, first, through the Indian Premier League earlier in the year, and later, with his performances against Australia. Now, both the youngsters are aiming to nail down a place for themselves in their respective teams - making their propective battle on Tuesday night even more fascinating.