Johannesburg, South Africa

India and South Africa will face off in the fourth and final T20I at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Following winning the thriller at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, India leads the four-match series 2-1 and have a chance to bag this should they win on Friday (Nov 15). Here is the match preview and result prediction of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa.

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Match Preview

India cannot do anything wrong with this format. Having won 23 of the last 25 T20Is, they are in top-notch form, aiming to build on their credentials and take this T20I series home. Against Proteas in familiar territory, they lead them 2-1; while two players thus far – Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma have completed respective hundreds, while the lower-order is yet to fire.

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Abhishek Sharma found form in the last game, while Ramandeep Singh’s debut added firepower to India’s all-rounders’ list in this format. Captain Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t had the best outings with the bat thus far but is spot-on with his captaincy in his first series as a full-time T20I skipper.

With the ground dimensions and history at the Wanderers suggesting it to be a batter’s paradise, the Indian bowlers have the best chance to make a name for themselves in this decider. While Arshdeep Singh has been India’s best bet in the pace attack, all eyes will be on the highest wicket-taker, Varun Chakaravarthy, who has picked ten wickets in three matches played.

On the other hand, the Proteas are upbeat to upset India in the final match in Johannesburg. Having come agonisingly close to pulling off a miraculous run chase in Centurion, thanks to a magnificent 17-ball 54 by Marco Jansen, the hosts are aware of their arsenal heading into the must-win game against India.

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Captain Aiden Markram hasn’t clicked with the bat, but Proteas best batter Heinrich Klaasen has shown signs of returning to his imperious best. Ace batter David Miller could be vital for South Africa in the final game of the series.

Meanwhile, the bowling department has been a worry for the hosts, having failed to wrap up India’s innings even once in this series.

Match Prediction –

South Africa could be upbeat to make a comeback and win the decider but India’s form will keep them a notch ahead in the final T20I.

Predicted Playing XIs of both teams –

South Africa - Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Andile Simelane, Keshav Maharaj and Lutho Sipamla

India - Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy