Tonight at 8:00 PM IST, India and South Africa will lock horns in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Kensington Oval, Barbados. Remarkably, both teams have reached this pinnacle undefeated.
India have been a force to be reckoned with throughout the tournament. They’ve been dominant in most matches, with the exception of a close encounter against Pakistan on a challenging New York pitch. Their batting has been spearheaded by the explosive Rohit Sharma (248 runs), who is in red-hot form with a tournament average of 41 and a 150+ strike rate. However, Virat Kohli‘s lack of runs remains a concern. Yet, his big-match temperament is undeniable, as evidenced by his jaw-dropping average of 99 in T20 World Cup knockouts for India. The rest of the Indian batting lineup, including Suryakumar Yadav (196 runs), Rishabh Pant (171 runs), and Hardik Pandya (139 runs), have all contributed significantly. The bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah (13 wickets), Arshdeep Singh (15 wickets), and the spin trio, has been equally impressive.
South Africa, on the other hand, have displayed remarkable resilience. They’ve emerged victorious from tight situations, showcasing their ability to handle pressure. Their batting has been anchored by Quinton de Kock, who has been on a tear with 204 runs, while their pace attack, featuring the fiery trio of Kagiso Rabada (12 wickets), Anrich Nortje (13 wickets), and Marco Jansen, has been ruthless, complemented by the spin wizardry of Tabraiz Shamsi (11 wickets).
On paper, both teams appear evenly matched. Both teams boast impressive bowling attacks. India have taken 56 wickets with an average of 15.21 and an economical rate of 6.42 runs per over. South Africa are just behind, claiming 59 wickets at an average of 15.23 but with a slightly better economy rate of 5.95.
The true difference lies in batting. India’s batting lineup is averaging a healthy 25.80 runs per wicket with an aggressive strike rate of 132.13. This dominance is further highlighted by their batters racking up six scores of fifty or more compared to South Africa’s three. With a lower average of 21.90 runs per wicket and a slower strike rate of 106.14, South Africa’s batting has been less prolific.
Head-to-Head:
The head-to-head record between India and South Africa in T20s is close. India hold a slight edge with 14 wins in 26 encounters, while South Africa have won 11. Interestingly, in the T20 World Cup specifically, India have dominated, winning four out of six matches against the Proteas.
For India, this final presents an opportunity to erase the disappointment of recent final defeats, particularly against Australia in the WTC final and the World Cup 2023. A win would be a defining moment for captain Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid.
South Africa, on the other hand, carry the weight of history. They’ve been perennial contenders in ICC tournaments but have emerged victorious only once. A win tonight would be a moment of immense national pride and a true catharsis for the team and its fans who have yearned for glory for so long.
Where to watch:
TV: Star Sports
OTT: Disney+ Hotstar