South Africa vs India Prediction: Both are unbeaten in tournament

South Africa and India are going head to head in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on 29 June 2024. Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament so far and will be looking to go just one step ahead to win the tournament. Who will win this game of cricket?

South Africa was dominant with their pace attack in the semis restricting Afghanistan to just 56 runs. Despite losing Quinton de Kock early, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks adeptly managed the challenging conditions of the Tarouba pitch, forming a solid partnership that propelled South Africa to a decisive nine-wicket victory with 67 balls to spare. This victory marked the maiden finals in South Africa's history. Despite being named chokers they have done well and are unbeaten in the tournament.

The team's success throughout the tournament has been a collective effort. The team has had good starts which gave them the platform to express themselves and get them to a big total and the lower order batsman have capitalised on the same. Indian Spinners will be tough to handle for the South Africans but they need to do what they have been doing well in the tournament.

The strength of South Africa's team lies in its robust bowling lineup with pacers being in their best of form. Pacers have been the talk of the town with the frontline trio taking 31 wickets in the tournament so far.

Spinners will be key assets for the team with Keshav Maharaj leading the charge. He has down well against India and will be looking to replicate his success.

Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

India is also coming into the finals with a dominating performance against England. They won the semi-finals by 68 runs, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the World Cup and showcasing their well-rounded capabilities. The Indian team has relied heavily on their batting prowess, with consistent performances throughout the tournament, although Virat Kohli has been an exception.

Skipper Rohit Sharma has excelled as an opener, leading by example with 248 runs at a strike rate of nearly 156. His recent contributions include two consecutive half-centuries, highlighted by a 57 off 39 balls in the semi-final against England. Also noteworthy is Suryakumar Yadav, who is currently one of the top T20I batters globally. Boasting an impressive record against South Africa, Yadav has accumulated 343 runs in just six innings, averaging 68 with a strike rate of 178. He has hit four centuries and five fifties against them, making him a key player to watch.

Other significant contributors with the bat include Hardik Pandya, who has amassed 139 runs in five innings at a rate of 149, and Rishabh Pant, with 171 runs in seven innings at a rate of 129. Both batters are in formidable form and pose a threat to opponents.

India's bowling has been equally effective, led by Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the premier fast bowler in the world today. Bumrah has claimed 13 wickets across seven innings, maintaining an excellent economy rate of 4.12. His critical overs at the beginning and end of the innings could prove decisive.

The Indian spin attack could be crucial in the upcoming match. South African batters are generally weaker against spin, and Kuldeep Yadav, with 10 wickets in four innings at an economy of 5.87, has been outstanding. He has the potential to disrupt the opposition during the middle overs. Axar Patel, who bowled a match-winning spell of 3-23 in the semi-final, maintains tight lines and can be effective during the powerplay. However, Ravindra Jadeja has been expensive, which might encourage the South African batters to target him.

Moreover, Arshdeep Singh, India's top wicket-taker with 15 dismissals in seven innings at an economy of 7.50, although sometimes pricey, has consistently taken vital wickets. His matchup with Quinton de Kock promises to be a highlight of the game.

Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Determining the victory between India and South Africa in the finals is challenging. Both teams have showcased exceptional cricket to secure their spots. While South Africa's batting has been underwhelming during the World Cup, their formidable bowling has compensated significantly. Conversely, India boasts a more cohesive and balanced squad overall. Despite South Africa's recent T20I successes against India, winning three of their last four encounters, both teams may experience nerves. South Africa is entering their first World Cup final, whereas India has had its share of disappointing outcomes in past ICC championship finals. Nevertheless, the Indian team appears more composed and confident. Should their batsmen step up, their bowlers, especially the spinners, are likely to restrain the South African batsmen effectively. This final could be a tightly contested match that could swing in either direction. Yet, India's comprehensive strength gives them a slight advantage. We support India as the likely champions of the T20 World Cup 2024 finals