SA vs IND, 3rd T20I Fantasy Preview and MPL Top Picks

Match: South Africa vs India, T20I series 2023 (SA vs IND)

Date: December 14, Thursday, 8.30 PM IST

Venue: The Wanderer’s Stadium, Johannesburg

India is set to face South Africa in the third and final T20I at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 14, Thursday.

In the second T20I between India and South Africa, the hosts successfully chased a revised target of 152 to secure a victory with seven balls to spare. The match, which saw rain interruptions, was a crucial one in the series after the first game was entirely washed out. The South African innings started impressively, with a rapid 43 runs scored in the first three overs.

Reeza Hendricks emerged as the standout performer for South Africa, contributing significantly with the bat by scoring 49 runs off 27 balls. His innings included eight fours and a maximum. Earlier in the game, India had set a target of 180 for 7 in 19.3 overs before rain interrupted play.

Suryakumar Yadav played a crucial role for India, scoring 56 runs in their innings. Rinku Singh also made a substantial impact, finishing unbeaten with 68 runs off 39 balls. Singh’s innings featured nine fours and two sixes.

With the series now levelled, the action will move to Johannesburg for the final T20I, which will serve as the decider to determine the winner. After weather-related disruptions in the first two matches, fans will be eagerly anticipating a full-fledged and uninterrupted contest in the series finale.

Top of Form

Ahead of the third and final T20I between India and South Africa, here’s everything you need to know to maximise your chances of winning cash prizes on MPL fantasy. 

South Africa vs India team news and predicted XI

South Africa team news and predicted XI

Team news: The South African T20 squad has undergone changes as Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have been released to prepare for the Test series. This adjustment leaves room for a potential debut for either Nandre Burger or Ottniel Baartman in the T20 squad.

Full squad: Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottniel Baartman, Marco Jansen, Donovan Ferreira, Lizaad Williams

Predicted XI: 1 Reeza Hendricks, 2 Matthew Breetzke, 3 Aiden Markam (c), 4 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 5 David Miller, 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Donovan Ferreira, 8 Andile Phehlukwayo, 9 Lizaad Williams, 10 Ottniel Baartman/Nandre Burger, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi

India team news and predicted XI

Team news: The Indian cricket team is currently facing uncertainty regarding the availability of Deepak Chahar, who was absent from the first two games due to a medical emergency. Additionally, Ruturaj Gaikwad missed the second match due to illness. The participation of both players in the upcoming match is uncertain,

Full squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav

Predicted XI: 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Rinku Singh, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Mukesh Kumar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Arshdeep Singh

Weather update and pitch report 

The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is anticipated to provide a favourable setting for both batsmen and bowlers. Historical statistics indicate that teams chasing a target have had an advantage at this venue. In the last T20I held at The Wanderers, both teams managed to score over 200 runs. During that match, South Africa chased a target of 221 set by West Indies but fell short by seven runs.

The weather could once again play spoilsport to the game. There is a chance of intermittent rain.

Head-to-head record for South Africa vs India 

India and South Africa have played a total of 26 T20I matches between them. Of these matches, India have won 13, while the Proteas came up on top 11 times. Two matches ended without a result. In the last five T20I matches between the two sides, South Africa lead to head-to-head total 3-2. 

Five players to watch out for

Here we list five players you can use in your MPL fantasy team for SA vs IND, 2nd T20I

Rinku Singh – batsman, India 

Rinku Singh is leaving no stone unturned to make a strong case for himself in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. In 11 T20 matches so far, the left-handed batsman has an average of over 82 and a strike rate of 183.70. He was India’s standout performer in the second T20I against South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 68 runs off 39 balls. Singh’s innings featured nine fours and two sixes. His performances on this tour, against a quality South African bowling attack, will give the selectors a better idea of Rinku’s possible place in the team for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Ravi Bishnoi – bowler, India 

Ravi Bishnoi has been India’s standout bowler in recent weeks, showcasing his talent during the T20I series against Australia. His exceptional performances not only earned him the position of the leading wicket-taker in the series but also propelled him to the top of the ICC’s T20I bowling rankings. Bishnoi’s unique bowling style, including his distinctive run-up, adds a fresh dimension to India’s bowling attack and may pose a significant challenge for the South African lineup.

Suryakumar Yadav – batsman, India

Suryakumar Yadav has been the leading run-scorer for India in T20I cricket, amassing 363 runs more than the second-highest run-scorer, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Moreover, his aggressive style of play has seen him break into the all-time top 10 six-hitters’ list in T20Is, with a total of 115 sixes to his name.

Reeza Hendricks – batsman, South Africa

Reeza Hendricks has been South Africa’s most prolific run-scorer in T20I cricket this year, holding the top spot in the run charts. Hendricks’ consistent performances with the bat have made him a key contributor to South Africa’s batting lineup, and his ability to accumulate runs will likely be crucial for the team’s success in the T20I series.

MPL XI

SA vs IND – where and what time to watch the match live in India 

The India vs South Africa T20Is will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India. You can also watch the game on the Disney + Hotstar app as well as the Jiocinema app. The match will begin at 8.00 PM IST on December 14.

Check out our detailed guide on fantasy cricket for more tips and tricks. https://dev.mpl.live/blog//todays-match-prediction/

Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.