SA vs IND 2024 (Source – Getty Images)
While much of the focus around the cricket fraternity is tilted towards the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, which starts later this month, the four-match T20I series between India and South Africa carries importance as well. The latter series will bring the two finalists of the T20 World Cup 2024 up against each other.
India and South Africa have plenty of new faces in their squads, who have the potential to dominate world cricket in the years to come. Apart from the talented youngsters on both sides, renowned veterans, including Aiden Markam, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Sanju Samson will be in action.
Both teams will look a lot different when they take the field during the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup. The marquee event might be a little less than two years away but the top teams like to start their auditions early and get themselves sorted in time. It will be interesting to see how the two teams fare in what promises to be a mouth-water contest for cricket aficionados.
Here’s a look at five players who could make a big impact during the series:
5. Varun Chakaravarthy
Varun Chakaravarthy rediscovered his mojo after putting in stellar performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and helping the Kolkata Knight Riders win their third title. The mystery spinner also played a significant role in helping Dindigul Dragons win the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024. He was recalled for the T20I series against Bangladesh and he didn’t disappoint.
The 33-year-old finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, bagging five wickets from three games at an average of 14.60. This year, the Tamil Nadu spinner has taken 26 wickets from 18 T20s at an average of 18.26 and a strike rate of 14.30. Doing well on South African soil won’t be easy but Chakaravarthy is always up for a challenge.
4. Marco Jansen
The seam-bowling all-rounder has shown signs of improvement with bat and ball in recent years. Marco Jansen will be key for South Africa, especially with the new ball. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways and he will get a lot of bounce because of his height. Indian batters have had their issues in the past against left-arm quicks. Jansen will want to exploit that and give his team early wickets to peg India back.
The youngster has picked up seven wickets from nine T20Is this year at an average of 30.42 and an economy rate of 6.83. Jansen was the highest wicket-taker in SA20 this year, bagging 20 scalps from 10 matches at 14.30. He will look to continue his good form on home soil against the mighty Indians.
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3. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been finally getting consistent chances to showcase his potential for the Indian team. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter was a part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. However, he did not get to play a game as the team management backed Rishabh Pant despite his topsy-turvy run in the showpiece event.
He got his opportunity in the playing XI during the tour of Sri Lanka but he registered ducks in the two matches he played. The 29-year-old got off to starts in the subsequent series against Bangladesh but couldn’t convert them into anything substantial. However, in the third and final T20I between India and Bangladesh in Hyderabad, the right-handed batter smashed a jaw-dropping 111 off just 47 balls, hitting 11 fours and eight sixes. Samson will take confidence from that knock and look to build on it against the Proteas.
2. Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen is one of the most feared batters in white-ball cricket. He almost helped South Africa win their first World Cup earlier this year as he played a stunning knock of 52 off 27 balls against India in the final. The wicketkeeper-batter has played 52 T20Is and smashed 912 runs at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 142.72.
Klaasen’s strike rate soars up to 168.09 against the Men in Blue. He has three half-centuries to his name against India in nine innings. The 33-year-old, who is an excellent player of spin, can change the game in a jiffy and the Indian bowlers would want to see the back of him as soon as possible.
1. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav, who is ranked No. 2 in the ICC rankings for T20I batters, scored a breathtaking 35-ball 75 against Bangladesh in his last T20I appearance against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. However, his scintillating display was overshadowed by Sanju Samson’s sparkling ton. Suryakumar has a remarkable average of 42.40 and an awe-inspiring strike rate of 169.49 in T20Is.
The 34-year-old will have fond memories of playing the shortest format of the game in South Africa. He has scores of 56 (36) and 100 (56) in the two games he has played against South Africa in the Rainbow Nation. The Mumbai batter will look to lead from the front and continue his winning streak as the full-time T20I captain of India.