South Africa vs India: T20I Records and Stats at Kingsmead, Durban

India's tour of South Africa will feature a Test series and an ODI series after the conclusion of the 3-match T20I series. The much-awaited T20I series between India and South Africa kicks off on Sunday, December 10, in Durban. The series will then head to Gqeberha and will finally conclude in Johannesburg. The opening T20I at Kingsmead will be only the second T20I encounter between India and South Africa at the venue. India emerged victorious in the previous T20I played here in 2023, securing a 37-run victory. The hosts, South Africa, have played 11 T20Is at Kingsmead, winning only five for a winning percentage of 45.45%. In contrast, the visiting teams have won six matches.

In a total of eight T20I series played between the Men in Blue and South Africa, the former has emerged victorious four times, while South Africa has won two. The remaining two series ended in a draw. In the four series played in South Africa, India has won three, while the Proteas have won one.

India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be missing. Ravindra Jadeja makes a return to the side and has also been named as the vice-captain. Shubman Gill is set to rejoin the team after his post-World Cup break. Meanwhile, Aiden Markram will lead South Africa in the T20Is. However, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi will miss the third T20I and the ODI series. 

 SA vs IND Head-to-Head Record:    

The two teams have faced each other in 24 T20Is, with India emerging victorious in 13 encounters and South Africa claiming 10 wins and one match ended without a result. In South Africa, the 'Men in Blue' have won five out of seven matches, while the hosts have won two.  

Kingsmead Stadium T20I Stats & Records:  

In 18 matches played at the venue, pace bowlers have claimed 162 wickets at an average of 23.84, while spinners have accounted for 42 wickets at an average of 26.80 in 18 matches. Batting first has resulted in nine victories, while batting second has yielded eight wins, with one game ending without a result. The average first-innings score in Durban is 143. 

SA vs IND Player Battles to Watch Out For    

Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Lungi Ngidi 

Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled against Lungi Ngidi in the past. In two innings against the South African pacer, Gaikwad has managed to score just eight runs, averaging 4.00 and striking at 66.66. He has been dismissed both times by Ngidi. 

Tristan Stubbs vs Deepak Chahar   

Tristan Stubbs has struggled against Deepak Chahar in T20Is. While facing Chahar in just two innings, he has only scored two runs and been dismissed on both occasions. 

 X-factors for India vs South Africa    

India:       

Suryakumar Yadav will be the X-factor for India. He has been in good form with the bat in 2023, having scored 577 runs at an average of 44.38, with four half-centuries and one century in T20Is. He has aggregated 187 at an average of 62.33 against South Africa, with three half-centuries in the format. 

South Africa:     

Reeza Hendricks will be the X-factor player for South Africa. He has been in good form with the bat in 2023, having scored 216 runs in five innings at an average of 43.20, with two half-centuries in T20Is. 

 India vs South Africa Predicted Playing XI:  

India:  

Ishan Kishan (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shreyas Iyer,  Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj/ Deepak Chahar. 

South Africa:- 

Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Andile Phehlukwayo, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi