India looks to secure the series against South Africa in the fourth T20I scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. After a strong comeback in the third match, where they bowled out South Africa for just 117 runs, the Indian team will be aiming for another win.
In the previous match, Abhishek Sharma set a quick pace for India, helping them chase down the target in just 15.5 overs. Although the bowling unit shone without key players Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel, there are still concerns about the batting performances of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill.
Both players, the captain and vice-captain, struggled in the last outing, raising questions about their places in the team as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in just a few months. Critics are watching closely, especially since India has only seven more matches before the tournament.
On South Africa’s side, the team had a rough game and will be eager to bounce back. Led by Aiden Markram, they hope to put the third match behind them and come back with renewed energy in Lucknow.
There’s also ongoing speculation about whether Sanju Samson will get an opportunity to play, particularly as Shubman Gill hasn’t scored a half-century in 15 innings since returning to the squad. As the T20 World Cup approaches, the management may face pressure to reconsider player selections.
The fourth T20I will start at 7:00 PM IST and can be watched live on Star Sports or streamed on JioHotstar.
The pitch at Ekana Stadium has typically favored teams batting first, with an average score of around 160. With potential dew in the second half of the match, teams winning the toss might prefer to bowl first.
India is facing challenges with injuries ahead of this match, as Bumrah has returned to Mumbai for personal reasons and Axar Patel is out due to illness. However, India’s depth in the squad should allow them to field a competitive team.
For South Africa, all players are available for selection, and they may look to include David Miller for this match. They might also consider adding Keshav Maharaj to strengthen their spin options.
Predicted Lineups
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (w), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (w), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
Match Prediction
India is in a strong position and will aim to secure the series, while South Africa will need to fight back. The toss may be crucial, especially with factors like dew coming into play. However, given their recent performance, India is favored to win the fourth T20I and stop South Africa from leveling the series.
