South Africa vs India match predictions T20I 1/3

International cricket returns to South African shores with the KFC T20 International series commencing between South Africa and India at Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday, 8 December. Aiden Markram will lead the home team, and Surykumar Yadav has been entrusted with the captaincy of India’s T20 side.

Predictions for the South Africa vs India match

India, who are favourites to win the match, come into the series on the back of a 4 – 1 T20I series win over Australia. During that series, Surykumar Yadav and his team demonstrated their ability to either set a total or chase it down. India scored more than 200 runs twice, first to chase down a big total and then to register an unassailable score. Their bowlers were also outstanding, led by Ravi Bishnoi, who was named the Player of the Series for his nine wickets.

South Africa, on the other hand, was soundly beaten by Australia in their most recent T20I assignment in August/September 2023. The visiting Australian team outplayed their hosts in all three departments, bowling, fielding and batting.

⚡ Quick betting tips for South Africa vs India match

📝 South Africa vs India betting tips

If you feel that just betting on India to win, isn’t enough for you, here we’ll cover why we suggest some of the alternative bets that offer better value.

1. South Africa to be the team with the top batter at 2.02 with Rajabets.

However, it is not gloom and doom for the home side. South Africa showed that they have players who can easily clear the ropes at the ODI World Cup. In the last 18 months, their batters, in particular Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Reeza Hendricks and David Miller, have done well on the T20 circuit. All of them will be keen on transferring that form to this T20 international series.


2. South Africa to hit the most sixes – 2.04 with Rajabets

One thing you know about South Africa is that their batters are massive. Big men, with big bats. Yet at the moment, the bookmakers have them as outsiders to hit the most sixes. The South African men could make that look very silly. Also worth a look at Gerald Coetzee who tripped over wickets in the World Cup. If he keeps up that form he might end up with another bag. 


South Africa vs India Match details

🏏 MatchSA vs Ind, KFC T20 International
🏆 CompetitionT20 Internationals
🏟️ LocationKingsmead Stadium, Durban, South Africa
📅 Date and timeSunday, 10 December 2023, 19:30 IST
📺 How to watchStar Sports, Disney+ Hotstar

Pitch Condition for South Africa vs India

The Kingsmead pitch is known to offer assistance to pace bowlers, offering swing and seam movement when the ball is new. The surface generally aids spinners in the afternoon, and given the fact that the match will be played at night, spinners will find it difficult to bowl under lights.

The stadium has hosted 18 T20Is. In these matches, the average first-inning score is 143, with the side batting first having a slight advantage. Teams batting first have won nine matches, compared to eight won by chasing sides. The highest score at Kingsmead was 226 for six by Australia on 30 August 2023 and not much change is expected on the 10th.

South Africa starting XI

Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (c), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.  

India starting XI

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, Jitesh Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mukesh Kumar.

Previous matches between South Africa and India

India and South Africa have met 24 times in T20 internationals. The visitors have triumphed in 13 of those encounters, while South Africa has won 10. In the last five meetings, India and South Africa have split the spoils, winning two each and the fifth was a no result.


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About the Author:
With over 10 years of experience in the sports media industry, I am a passionate and versatile media entrepreneur and sports analyst. I also founded Good Areas, a network of podcasts, YouTube channels, and emailers that focus on how fans like sport, and that tell stories beyond the mainstream. You can follow Jarrod at Twitter (@ajarrodkimber), Youtube (@JarrodKimberYT), Linkedin (@jarrodkimber), and Instagram (@ajarrodkimber).