South Africa vs India, 1st T20I 2024 Match Preview

South Africa vs India

South Africa vs India: The World T20 Champions India are set to face South Africa after this year’s T20 World Cup finals. The hosts, South Africa, will aim to seek vengeance for their defeat in the finals, while the men in blue are striving to continue their winning streak in T20Is.

Following a massive 133 runs in the last T20I played against Bangladesh at Hyderabad, where India posted its highest-ever total of 297-6 in T20 overs, fans expect another dazzling performance from the visitors.

In the previous year, Team India leveled the 3-match T20I series with a 1-1 draw result. Ever since Gautam Gambhir became the head coach, the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma hasn’t been performing well in tests and ODIs but has managed to deliver consistent performances in T20Is under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy.

Also, the squad with numerous talented young players, makes it challenging to include the best ones in India’s playing XI. The weather and pitch conditions are expected to vary in the 4-match T20I series played at different venues.

Let’s enter the preview session by finding out the head-to-head stats of SA vs IND in T20Is to predict the winner of the first match in this series. If you aren’t able to watch the match at the stadium according to the scheduled date, you can catch the live action through the available live-streaming and broadcasting platforms.

SA vs IND 1st T20I 2024 Schedule and Venue

The schedule and venue of the first match in the South Africa vs India series is set to start within a few hours:

Date and Day08th November 2024 (Friday)
VenueKingsmead, Durban
Seating Capacity25,000
Timings05:00 pm LOCAL / 08: 30 pm IST

Weather Conditions for South Africa vs India 1st T20I 2024

The weather forecasts in Durban suggest that the temperature during the match on November 8 ranges between 23 °C to 27 °C with cloudy conditions at a wind speed of 20 to 30 km/hr. There is a 40% chance of rain, but you can experience a full-fledged T20 contest.

Pitch Conditions and Probable Toss Result for South Africa vs India 1st T20I 2024

The Kingsmead pitch conditions favor pace bowlers for additional seam movement due to extra moisture on the surface. Although the surface is bowler-friendly, batters can accumulate huge runs by maintaining consistent partnerships. The toss-winning captain should decide to bowl first and post a formidable total.

SA vs IND Head-to-Head Stats in T20 internationals (T20Is)

India and South Africa have competed against each other on 27 occasions and the head-to-head stats are tabulated below in detail:

Overall Matches Played27
Matches won by India in T20Is15
Matches won by South Africa in T20Is11
No Result Outcome1
Winnings at HomeIndia: 5 matches, South Africa: 3 matches
Winnings AwayIndia: 6 matches, South Africa: 6 matches
Neutral Venue WinningsIndia: 4 matches, South Africa: 2 matches
Highest TotalIndia: 237-3 in 20 overs in 2022
Lowest TotalSouth Africa: 87-10 in 16.5 overs in 2022
Leading Run Scorer David Miller (South Africa): 452 runs
Leading Wicket TakerBhuvneshwar Kumar (India): 14 wickets

SA vs IND Head-to-Head Stats in Durban in T20Is

This is the fourth T20I match between India and South Africa in Durban and the stats are listed below:

Overall Matches PlayedMatches won by IndiaMatches Won by South AfricaNo Result GamesHighest ScoreLowest ScoreWinnings (First Batting)Winnings (Second  Batting)
3201India: 168-6 in 20 overs in 2011South Africa: 116-9 in 20 overs in 200720

South Africa vs India 1st T20I 2024 Expected Playing XI

You can expect the below-mentioned playing XI combination for South Africa and India in the first T20I match:

South Africa Possible Playing XI for 1st T20I: 

S.NoPlayerRole
1.Aiden Markram (Captain)Batsman
2.Reeza HendricksBatsman
3.David MillerBatsman
4.Marco JansenAll-rounder
5.Heinrich KlaasenBatsman and Wicketkeeper
6.Tristan StubbsBatsman and Wicketkeeper
7.Nqabayomzi PeterBowler
8.Keshav MaharajBowler
9.Gerald CoetzeeBowler
10.Ottneil BaartmanBowler
11.Andile SimelaneBowler

India Possible Playing XI for 1st T20I:

S.NoPlayerRole
1.Abhishek SharmaAll-rounder
2.Sanju SamsonBatsman and Wicketkeeper
3.Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)Batsman
4.Tilak VarmaBatsman
5.Hardik PandyaAll-rounder
6.Axar PatelAll-rounder
7.Rinku SinghBatsman
8.Avesh KhanBowler
9.Varun ChakaravarthyBowler
10.Arshdeep SinghBowler
11.Ravi BishnoiBowler

Where to Watch South Africa vs India 1st T20I Match 2024? Live Streaming and Broadcasting Details

Fans from India and South Africa can watch the live match through the below-mentioned live-streaming and broadcasting platforms:

CountryLive StreamingLive Broadcasting
IndiaJio Cinema App and Official WebsiteSports 18 HD and SD Channels 
South AfricaSky SportsSky Sports

South Africa vs India 1st T20I Winner: Final Prediction

Both India and South Africa have equal chances of winning the first T20I match at Durban. However, the Proteas with just 11 wins in T20Is will aim for a clean 4-0 victory to improve their record against the visitors.

Finally, this Friday is going to be much more special to enjoy the high-voltage clash between the two powerhouses in T20 internationals.