The wounds of a painful loss at the ICC T20 World Cup final still linger for South Africa as they prepare to face India in a four-match T20 series at home. The final, which took place more than four months ago, saw India emerge victorious, securing their second T20 world title. The South African team will be keen to redeem themselves after missing out on what could have been their first ICC World Cup trophy.
Since the final, there have been significant changes in both teams, with several Indian stalwarts retiring from the game’s shortest format. Despite the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s new captain Suryakumar Yadav has led the team to a near-perfect winning streak in T20 internationals. On the other hand, South Africa has struggled in recent series, suffering losses against West Indies and Ireland.
As both teams look towards rebuilding for the next T20 World Cup, which is just over a year away, the focus will be on South Africa’s ability to bounce back from a series of poor results and India’s momentum away from home. The upcoming T20 series will provide an opportunity for both sides to assess their strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for future competitions.
The T20 series between India and South Africa will consist of four matches, with the first game scheduled to take place on Friday, November 8 at Kingsmead, Durban. Fans can follow live text and photo coverage of each match on Al Jazeera, with coverage starting three hours before the match start time. The head-to-head record between the two teams is nearly even, with India winning 15 out of the 27 T20 encounters.
In terms of form, South Africa has struggled in T20 cricket, winning only one out of their last five matches. In contrast, India is on a 10-game winning streak in the T20 format, with only one loss to Zimbabwe marring their record in 2024. Both teams will be looking to make a statement in the upcoming series and set the tone for their preparations for the next T20 World Cup.
The squads for both teams include a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. South Africa’s Aiden Markram continues to lead the side, while India’s Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team. Players like Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, and Ramandeep Singh will be key figures to watch out for in the series. With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, both teams will be aiming to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum as they look towards securing success in the future competitions.
