India chases victory as South Africa rotates squad significantly
The action has shifted to New Chandigarh for the second encounter in the thrilling T20 International series between India and South Africa. In a decisive move at the toss, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav called it correctly and elected to field first, looking to capitalize on the atmospheric conditions.
The decision to bowl was heavily influenced by the presence of dew, which was already noticeable during the warm-up sessions. Speaking at the toss, Yadav emphasized that the Mullanpur stadium has traditionally been a fantastic venue for franchise and women's cricket. He expressed confidence in his unit, noting that the team remains unchanged from their previous outing. The captain also highlighted the critical balance Hardik Pandya brings to the side, praising his ability to absorb pressure and deliver crucial overs.
Before the match commenced, the Indian team received a special boost. Legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was spotted addressing the team huddle, sharing a few laughs and motivational words with the "Men in Blue" on his home turf.
On the other side, South African captain Aiden Markram admitted he would have also preferred to chase but is keen to put a competitive total on the board. Markram acknowledged the need to move past their defeat in the first game and focused on delivering a better collective effort. The Proteas have opted for a rotation policy, making three significant changes to their playing XI. Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, and George Linde have been drafted into the squad, replacing Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje.
According to the pitch report delivered by Pommie Mbangwa, the surface has a distinct sheen with even grass coverage, which suggests the ball might skid through nicely. While there are minor cracks, the larger boundaries and the potential for dew later in the evening make chasing the statistically favorable option here. The average winning score at this venue hovers around 180 runs, setting the stage for a high-octane battle.
India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovon Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
