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South Africa’s first ICC major tournament final sees them up against India, inaugural ICC T20 World Cup winners back in 2007 who are yet to lift the trophy since then.
DATE & TIME: Saturday 29th June, 2024: USA (WST) – 7:30am / USA (CST) – 9:30am / USA (EST) – 10:30am / UK – 3:30pm / India – 8:00pm / South Africa – 4:30pm / Pakistan– 7:30pm / Bangladesh – 8:30pm / Sunday 30th June, 2024: Australia – 12:30am
VENUE: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies
WEATHER: Spells of sunshine expected, but also a chance of thundery showers across the scheduled hours of play with temperatures consistent at 29c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India– Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: PROTEAS COME INTO THE FINAL ON THE BACK OF EIGHT-MATCH WIN STREAK
South Africa’s bowlers took full advantage of a hugely advantageous pitch from their point of view to bowl out Afghanistan for just 56 in extremely tough batting conditions in Tarouba. Chasing 60 runs was always going to be a formality and the Proteas managed it in 8.5 overs for the loss of just one wicket, an emphatic way to win their first ever major ICC tournament semi-final in any format of the men’s game.
LAST FIVE: WWWWW
INDIA FORM: MASTERCLASS AGAINST ENGLAND UNDERLINES THE CLASS OF INDIA
India saved arguably their best performance of the tournament so far for the semi-finals against England, knocking the reigning champions out and gaining revenge on Jos Buttler’s side for beating them in the semi-finals back in 2022. Batting first on a low-bouncing pitch, India scored an over-par 171/7 which they defended comfortably, winning by 68 runs after bowling England out for 103.
LAST FIVE: WWWWA
SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS
Having started each of South Africa’s last two games, Tabraiz Shamsi has proven worth his weight in gold to South Africa. The left-arm wrist spinner took three wickets in each of those matches against West Indies and Afghanistan respectively and that mystery spin always poses a threat to opposition batters. Back Shamsi not only to pick up over 1.5 match wickets in the final, but also consider placing a small stake on him to finish as South Africa’s top bowler.
The power of the Proteas’ batting line-up has been a regular topic of discussion among these ICC T20 World Cup previews that we’ve been bringing you. Their ability to clear the boundary rope cannot be questioned and at a ground like the Kensington Oval, will be very important against India. With that in mind, back two of their players via the ‘Batter Total Match Sixes’ market to record over 0.5 match sixes, specifically in-form opener Quinton de Kock and hard-hitting middle order batter David Miller.
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
India’s captain hitting form at just the right time has been crucial to their progression through to the final. Rohit Sharma has struck 149 runs across his last two innings, scoring a brilliant 92 against Australia before striking 57 in the semi-final vs England. The nature of both knocks warrants investment in Rohit here, so consider backing the India skipper to score 30+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market. Bettors searching for a riskier bet that offers a higher return can back Rohit to finish as India’s top batter, or for him to score a half-century.
There are a plethora of bowlers worthy of being backed on the Indian side and the key will be to select the right ones. Jasprit Bumrah makes the strongest case, such is his general brilliance with the ball and his importance to India. Bumrah’s pace variations are so clinical and should see him in the wickets at the Kensington Oval. Therefore, back the right-arm pacer to record over 1.5 match wickets.
SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA EXPERT PREDICTION
With neither of these two nations having tasted success in the ICC T20 World Cup for a long period of time, or in South Africa’s case not at all, both sets of players will be feeling the pressure on their respective shoulders. For the Proteas, it’s all about whether they can effectively cope with the quality of India’s bowling attack, whether it be the pace of Jasprit Bumrah, or the spin of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
They say batting wins games, but bowlers win tournaments and that phrase could ultimately ring true come the end of the ICC T20 World Cup. After seeing how India ruthlessly dispatched such an excellent team like England, whereas South Africa beat a far easier opponent in Afghanistan, playing a more intense game in the semi-finals may well work in India’s favour. Therefore, back India to finally secure their second title.
SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA TOP TIP: INDIA TO WIN