The first game in Dharamsala was called off due to rain without a single ball being bowled. Both teams head to Mohali for the second T20I encounter. Since Mohali has often been regarded as a batting paradise, we’re likely to witness a high-scoring fest. Both India and South Africa boast of clean strikers in their batting lineup.

India will have a decision to make about their opening combination. While Rohit Sharma has been in phenomenal form, it will be interesting to see who gets the nod on match-day between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul. It was at this ground that Virat Kohli lifted India with a spirited knock against Australia in the quarterfinals of the WT20 2016. The captain will look to draw inspiration from the same.

Shreyas Iyer was rewarded for his splendid show in the One Day Internationals and would like to restore the faith shown in him by the Team management. Rishabh Pant played a fantastic knock in the third T20I against West Indies after throwing it away a couple of times before in the tournament and will be keen to show some consistency.

The Pandya brothers add quite a vital balance to the Indian side. Both can play as pinch-hitters in the death overs and pick wickets in heaps during dire situations.

Ravindra Jadeja will be in the thick of things as he provides tight overs and his striking ability with the willow. It won’t be surprising to see Rahul Chahar rolling his arm; the leggie was in sublime touch during Indian Premier League 2019.

In the absence of prominent fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the responsibilty will rest on the trio of Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini and Deepak Chahar to lead the pacers department.

As for the Proteas, they have a young side and will look forward to building their team under new captain Quinton de Kock.

Reeza Hendricks, alongside the skipper, will be expected to open the batting for the visitors. Rassie Van Der Dussen has shown great composure with the bat in recent times and will be counted on to do the same.

It will be interesting to see how Temba Bavuma fares in the shortest format and if he plays, may likely bat in the middle order. The onus will fall upon Dwaine Pretorius and David Miller to go bonkers in the final overs. Andile Phehlukwayo can also go big when necessary, though the Proteas will rely more on his bowling skills.

For the South African side, their strength lies in pace. Kagiso Rabada, who has been among the top bowlers in Tests and ODIs, will now aim for the same in the 20-overs format.

The likes of Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks and Anrich Nortje make them a formidable pace attack against any opposition.

Tabraiz Shamsi will lead the spin-attack. He will have the company of Bjorn Fortuin, who was the highest wicket taker in the CSA T20 Challenge, as well as George Linde, who displayed exceptional form in the ‘A’ tour and hence, was rewarded with a place in the national squad.

South Africa will know that beating India at home will be a tough task and the young unit will have to play their hearts out to achieve that.

Key Battles -

Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

The clash of the titans. Virat Kohli is undoubtedly India’s best batsman, and South Africa rely upon Kagiso Rabada to break the opposition’s momentum. Rabada recently accounted for Kohli’s wicket in the IPL and is aware of Indian conditions. Kohli, on the other hand, will look to dominate him from the start.

Quinton de Kock vs Rahul Chahar

Both have been teammates in the Indian Premier League and are now likely to go against each other. With a batting pitch at Mohali, the odds favour Quinton De Kock. However, his vulnerability against spin has been a concern, and Rahul Chahar will be looking to exploit that when they face each other in the middle.

The second T20I is at the Punjab Cricket Association’s IS Bindra Stadium on 18th September 2019 from 7pm IST.