Before the start of the ICC T20 World Cup, India will play only one warm-up match and that too against the last edition’s runners-up South Africa. Since the two finalists of the T20 World Cup 2024 will face off against each other in the IND vs SA warm-up game, it could mark the return of players from the two teams who were absent due to injuries.
The following article contains a detailed preview of the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup practice match, including head-to-head record, their probable playing XI, pitch report and live streaming details of the only warm-up match for India.
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match Preview:
Match date: The India vs South Africa match will be played on Wednesday, February 4.
venue: This match will be held at Dr. DY Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Time: The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm Indian time.
India vs South Africa teams
India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakraborty, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dubey, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh.
South Africa team: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brewis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Mfaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs..
India vs South Africa Probable XI:
India’s playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dubey, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakraborty.
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brewis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde/Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje..
Key battles of IND vs SA T20 World Cup warm-up match
Abhishek Sharma vs Marco Johnson
Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma is the most explosive batsman in recent times. The left-handed batsman is considered one of the main forces behind India’s run-scoring. Marco Jensen brings some exceptional bounce to the track, leaving the fast bowlers with nothing. Therefore, Jensen can pose a major threat to the dangerous opening batsman, as he has the ability to strike the new ball.
Ishan Kishan vs Kagiso Rabada
India’s batting form can easily be described as astonishing, which we saw in the series against New Zealand. Ishan Kishan, who returned to international cricket, has cemented his place with his fearless ball striking. He also scored his first century in the series.
Kagiso Rabada brings with him many World Cup experiences. As the best bowler of the Protea team, the South African legend has also played many brilliant innings in India last season.
Quinton de Kock vs Arshdeep Singh
Quinton de Kock has been South Africa’s best man since his return to international cricket. The great batsman, who overturned his international retirement, will be handed the lead role along with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton who could be the scorers at the top of the order.
On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh is adept at taking wickets with the new ball and hence he is a big threat for the South African left-handed batsman. The bowler recently took 5 wickets against New Zealand on the batting track of Trivandrum.
Dewald Brevis vs Varun Chakraborty
Explosive right-handed middle-order batsman Dewald Brevis has been promoted as the ideal replacement for Heinrich Klaasen. Brewis, along with Tristan Stubbs, can be backed as the two most explosive set of run-scorers during the death overs.
Experienced spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has claimed the highest rank for India in T20Is, will once again prove to be crucial for India in their campaign. Chakraborty will play his first T20 World Cup for India.
Key players of IND vs SA T20 World Cup warm-up match:
Major players of India: Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakraborty
South Africa’s leading players: Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brewis, Marco Johnson and Kagiso Rabada
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match – Free Live Streaming & Telecast Details
TV broadcasting in India: The practice match between India and South Africa will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: Fans around the world can watch it live on their mobile phones and laptops with an active subscription on the JioStar app.
Weather and pitch report of India vs South Africa T20 World Cup warm-up match – Mumbai
IND vs SA: Weather report in Mumbai
According to Accuweather, the temperature will be around 33 degrees during the day, which will gradually decrease in the evening. The minimum temperature can be recorded around 23 degrees.
The weather in Mumbai has a high amount of humidity, which is a bit uncomfortable for the players; However, during this time of the year, rain will not hinder play.
IND vs SA: Pitch report at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy
The DY Patil Stadium pitch provides some relative help to both spinners and fast bowlers. However, the pitch cannot be predicted as a batting or bowling pitch. With wide open spaces on the pitch as well as partial green patches, lush outfield and short boundaries, this ground can be suitable for high-scoring entertainers as well as low-scoring thrillers.
IND vs SA Head-to-Head Records
India and South Africa have faced each other 31 times in the shortest format of the game. South Africa have won only 12 times, while the Men in Blue have won 18 times. In the last T20I series that South Africa played in India, the Men in Blue defeated them by a margin of 3-1.
In the ICC T20 World Cup, South Africa has managed only two wins in 2009 and 2022, while on the other hand, India emerged victorious in the finals of the 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014 and finally the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
|
statistics |
Matchbox |
IND won |
SA won |
Drag |
Tied up |
N.R. |
|
overall |
31 |
18 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
In T20 World Cup |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
last 5 t20i |
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match—Who will win the match?
The Indian team would once again like to make a positive start to their ICC T20 World Cup campaign. However, on the other hand, the Proteas will be hoping for some better results in the Indian subcontinent. India will be considered a strong contender in the practice match, because it is also a strong contender to win the World Cup.
Also read: Wanindu Hasaranga out of cricket ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
