Lucknow surface promises early runs before spinners take control.
The Men in Blue have a golden opportunity to clinch the T20 series trophy tonight in the City of Nawabs. After a dominant bowling performance in the previous game, where the Proteas were dismantled for a mere 117 runs, India arrives at the Ekana Stadium with high confidence. While the visitors are fighting to keep the series alive, all eyes are on the playing conditions that could dictate the flow of the match.
Understanding the Surface
Historically, the 22 yards at Ekana have been a paradise for slow bowlers, often favoring the home IPL franchise's strategy of choking runs. However, reports suggest curators have prepared a "sporty" deck for this international clash. This means fans can expect a balanced contest where fast bowlers and batters will find success, especially in the initial overs.
As the match progresses, the pitch is likely to lose some pace, bringing the spinners into play. However, the biggest game-changer could be the dew. Given the time of year, heavy dew is expected in the second innings, making it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball. Consequently, the captain winning the toss will almost certainly choose to field first.
Weather Conditions
Players will have to contend with chilly and hazy conditions. Temperatures are predicted to hover around 18°C to 21°C during the day but will dip significantly to a cold 12°C by the evening. Unfortunately, the air quality remains poor, which is a concern for both camps.
Team News and Tactics
Regarding the team combination, India is expected to field a largely unchanged lineup. There is still uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s availability due to personal reasons, while Axar Patel remains sidelined with an illness. In their absence, young guns like Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, who claimed two wickets each in the last outing, will shoulder the bowling responsibility.
On the batting front, captain Suryakumar Yadav will be eager to find his rhythm ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. For South Africa, the pressure is on Quinton de Kock to replicate his explosive form from the second T20I if they hope to challenge the Indian total.
