South Africa vs India, 1st T20I 2023: Match preview, playing XI, Head to Head, Where to Watch on TV & Live Streaming Details

Following a terrific 4-1 win over Australia in the five-match T20I series, the Men in Blue have travelled to South Africa for a full-fledged series. In the absence of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, Suryaumar Yadav will be leading the team while a few senior cricketers like Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj joining the squad after a small break following the ODI World Cup. 

On the flip side, South Africa will be missing Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabadaas they have been rested ahead of the red-ball series. Moreover, Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala are yet to recover from their injuries while Lungi Ngidi too is ruled out following an ankle injury. Therefore, the South African bowling unit looks pale at the moment.

Their batting, however, looks strong. In the absence of Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks will have to take the responsibility to perform alongside Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen. David Miller and in-form Marco Jansen too will be key for the home side.

When it comes to India, the focus will be on Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh. All three are currently fighting their way into the senior squad and this series will be key for these cricketers as the goal will be to seal their spot in the playing XI.

Kingsmead Pitch Report

The surface at Kingsmead is expected to support the batters. The pacers will get some advantage but runs are expected to be scored. Bowling first will be ideal and anything over 180 runs will be a good total.

Probable Playing XI

South Africa

In the absence of some of the top-class pacers, Gerard Coetzee, Jansen and Lizaad Williams will be important for the Proteas. They have a strong middle order but the focus will be on Tristan Stubbs, who will eye to do well to make it to the T20 World Cup 2024.

Predicted XI: Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi
India

India

The focus will be on Ravi Bishnoi, who recently became the number-one-ranked T20I bowler. However, he will have to prove himself in foreign conditions.

Predicted XI: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar

SA vs IND T20Is Head-to-Head Records:

SA vs IND 1st T20I Broadcast details: