KEY POINTS
- South Africa aim to deny India a series win and cap off a strong tour, while India use the match for World Cup preparation.
- Key player battles feature in-form all-rounder Marco Jansen against out-of-form Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.
- India welcome back Jasprit Bumrah but face fitness doubts over Shubman Gill, shifting selection dynamics for the finale.
AHMEDABAD: The stage is set for a decisive finale as India host South Africa in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Friday. With the series locked at 2-1, a victory for the visitors would see them share the honours.
The weather-interrupted fourth match in Lucknow, which was abandoned without a ball bowled, has ensured India cannot lose the series but has left everything to play for in the winner-takes-all encounter.
Big Picture: A Final Shot at Redemption
South Africa’s tour of India, highlighted by a historic 2-0 Test series victory, can still culminate in a significant T20I achievement. A win in Ahmedabad would deny India a series triumph, a feat accomplished by visiting teams only once in India’s last 14 T20I series or tournaments.
For the hosts, this series represents the final phase of fine-tuning ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence, while South Africa continue to search for their ideal team balance in the white-ball formats.
In the Spotlight: Jansen’s All-Round Tour vs. SKY’s Search for Form
The series decider will showcase two players at contrasting junctures. Marco Jansen has been the breakout star of the tour, excelling with bat, ball, and in the field. A match-winning performance in the finale would be a fitting culmination of his remarkable all-round display.
Conversely, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav is under scrutiny, having not registered a T20I half-century since October last year. Managing just 239 runs at a strike rate of 119.5 in his last 21 innings, the talismanic batter will be eager for a return to form before the team enters a month-long break.
Team News: Bumrah Returns, Gill’s Fitness in Doubt
India welcome back pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the previous match for personal reasons, for a homecoming game in Ahmedabad. However, all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out due to illness. There are concerns over opener Shubman Gill, who is reportedly nursing a toe injury. His potential absence could open the door for Sanju Samson, who was seen training vigorously ahead of the match.
South Africa’s selection has been unpredictable throughout the tour. Key questions remain over the balance of their attack, with a decision pending between the spin of George Linde or Keshav Maharaj and the pace of Anrich Nortje.
Pitch and Conditions: A Welcome Shift to Sunshine
After fog disruptions in the north, the teams move to the warmer, clearer climes of Ahmedabad, where daytime temperatures are expected to be in the early 30s Celsius.
The venue has a recent history of favouring teams defending totals, with six successful defences in seven night games during the last IPL season. The conditions promise an uninterrupted, competitive contest to decide the series.
Stats and Trivia
India’s Arshdeep Singh has proven to be a thorn for Quinton de Kock, dismissing the opener five times in just 56 balls while conceding only 66 runs in all T20 cricket.
South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks, with a strike rate of 118.8 against India and only one fifty in 15 innings, will be looking to improve a poor personal record against the hosts.
The last two T20Is between these sides at this venue were split, with each team winning one.
