Plot:
After giving the hosts a close fight in the Test series, when India locked horns with South Africa in the ODIs, on paper, it was supposed to be a battle between the top two sides in the world. In the past, the Proteas had completely dominated these matches in all three departments. This time around too, the matches ended up being one-sided, but it was the visitors who outclassed their opponents by getting the better of them throughout the series, barring one rain-affected match. This is Virat Kohli’s India. The Men in Blue have played fearsome cricket throughout this tour. They have a captain who wears his heart on his sleeve and leads by example. He scored a staggering 558 runs in the series; the most by any batsman in a bilateral series. Kohli will be hoping that his troops continue to play the same way in the upcoming 3-match T20I series too.

For the Proteas, it is time to go back to the drawing board and reassess their strategies, especially against India’s wrist spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have been a revelation in this series. The pair picked up 33 wickets between them and simply looked unstoppable at times. South Africa haven’t found a solution against them and will be pinning their hopes on the T20 specialists who have been included in their squad. There are as many as 6 players in the South African T20I squad who haven’t played any game so far, and will bring a new facet to their strategy against the Indian bowlers. It will be interesting to see how JP Duminy will lead this relatively inexperienced side against an in-form Indian team.

For Virat, the plan is simple. They just need to carry on doing what they’ve done throughout the ODI series, and the results will follow. Chahal and Kuldeep have been exceptional and the Indian skipper will be hoping that they continue to do the good work. The vastly experienced Suresh Raina is a shrewd addition to the Indian squad and will strengthen the middle order; the one area which has looked fragile for this team in the ODI series.

Stage:

New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
The venue where it all changed for Team India. Who would have thought that one gutsy Test victory will change the complexion of the series? Since then, this team has put no foot wrong and have excelled in all the departments. This venue is special for India as this is where they played their first ever T20 International match back in 2006 and won a thrilling encounter against the hosts. Overall, they have played 4 matches at this venue, winning twice and losing twice.

Acts:

Suresh Raina v Chris Morris
Making a comeback to the Indian team, Suresh Raina has a point or two to make to the selectors that he belongs here. He is a wonderful asset in any T20 squad and can change the game on his own, but, he will be aware that he will be peppered with short balls by the likes of Chris Morris; something which has bothered him throughout his career. It will be interesting to see how he tackles them.

Kuldeep Yadav v David Miller
The Chinaman bowler got the better of the South African southpaw a couple of times in the ODI series. Miller was troubled by the balls going away from him and has failed to deal with the wily spinner. He did make a few runs in the rain affected ODI and is the one South African batsman who can disturb the line and lengths of India’s spinners by hitting some lusty blows.

AB de Villiers v Expectations
A lot was made of AB de Villiers’ return from injury when he joined the South African squad ahead of the 4^th ODI. However, he failed to meet the expectations of his team and the fans alike in the ODI series, as the Indian bowlers were successful in keeping the maestro quiet. Will the shorter format get the best out of ABD? We’ll find out soon!