After nearly a month of gripping action, it is down to India and South Africa to battle it out for the coveted ICC T20 World Cup in Barbados. Both teams come into the final unbeaten, albeit in contrasting fashions. While India has been utterly dominant, South Africa has found ways to get the job done. Will the Indians finally lay their hands on the ICC T20 World Cup trophy again, or will the Proteas break their ICC trophy drought on Saturday? Here’s a breakdown of how the teams look going into this all-important final.
Things haven’t changed since the last Sixer Fantasy hub blog. India remains the team to beat and is the favorite ahead of the final. They have the right balance for the Caribbean, with their spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja being key. India owns a perfect record in this tournament despite Virat Kohli not firing, which makes it all the more impressive. With Rohit Sharma turning back the clock in the last few games, India looks ominous.
Playing XI: Rohit (c), Virat, Pant (wk), Surya, Dube, Hardik, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Arshdeep
South Africa has earned the "chokers" tag with multiple failures in the knockout phases. This time around, they have Aiden Markram at the helm, who led the South African U-19 side to an ICC U-19 World Cup win a decade ago. In that very team was Kagiso Rabada, who has led the attack with 12 wickets. While the South African batting has blown hot and cold, the bowlers have more than made up for them with consistent performances. Can the likes of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen step up against the mighty Indians? Only time will tell.
Playing XI: de Kock (wk), Hendricks, Markram (c), Klaasen, Miller, Stubbs, Jansen, Maharaj, Nortje, Rabada, Shamsi
Jansen vs Rohit
Marco Jansen was rampant in his match-up against Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the previous game, which was crucial in South Africa’s dominant semi-final win. Jansen is unique with his tall and lanky frame and ability to swing the ball viciously. He has the all-important task of getting Rohit Sharma out, who has been in stellar form with the bat. Rohit comes into this game with back-to-back fifties and will look to take Jansen down in the powerplay. As was the case in the semi-finals, this powerplay battle could be game-defining.
Klaasen vs Kuldeep
Kuldeep Yadav’s addition to the Indian playing XI has worked perfectly for Team India. He has 10 wickets in four games at an average of nearly 9. While Kuldeep is in a league of his own, he is up against Heinrich Klaasen, who is perhaps the best spin-hitter in world cricket right now. Despite his inconsistent form, Klaasen remains a threat to Team India’s chances. He isn’t shy of going after the spinners, and with Kuldeep relishing such challenges, this battle could be quite entertaining.
Just a few hours to go to find out who will emerge victorious and secure the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy!
