Some are already billing this as the final before the final. India entered the tournament as clear favourites, but South Africa’s unbeaten run through arguably the toughest group has turned this into a heavyweight collision. Their commanding win over New Zealand sent out a strong message — this side is here to contend, not just compete.
What began as a budding rivalry in the last T20 World Cup final — a match South Africa controlled for 35 overs before letting slip — has only intensified since. The Proteas struck back emphatically with a Test whitewash of India on Indian soil, adding another layer to this growing contest.
Now, the stakes are equally high for both teams. It’s no longer just India with something to protect — though they will be desperate not to be the side that ends their remarkable 12-match winning streak in T20 World Cups. South Africa, too, have plenty on the line. A defeat here would leave them facing two must-win matches, and even that might not guarantee a semi-final berth. It’s a blockbuster opening to the Super Eight stage in Group 1.
Ahmedabad has effectively been South Africa’s base this tournament, with three of their four games played there. India, meanwhile, hardly need any introduction to the venue — the biggest matches of their campaigns often find their way to this ground. The last meeting here was the final T20I of the bilateral series against South Africa, where India brushed aside the toss disadvantage and hammered 231 runs. At the time, South Africa were still searching for their ideal XI. Now, more settled and battle-hardened, they will aim to mount a far sterner challenge against an Indian side that has looked nearly unstoppable.
Team News: Axar set to return; Rabada or Nortje?
Arshdeep Singh returned as expected in the previous match, while India rested Axar Patel to hand Washington Sundar a game. Axar is likely to slot straight back into the XI for this high-stakes clash.
India (probable): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
South Africa rotated their attack in the last game, resting Lungi Ngidi while giving Kagiso Rabada time to find rhythm and offering Anrich Nortje a run. Ngidi, still their leading wicket-taker, is expected to return — likely at the expense of one of the marquee quicks. With this being a night fixture, Corbin Bosch may get the nod over George Linde.
South Africa (probable): Aiden Markram (capt.), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada/Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.