Before the start of the ICC T20 World Cup, India will be playing just a single warm-up match and that too against the runners-up of the previous edition, South Africa. As the two finalists from the T20 World Cup 2024 clash against each other in the IND vs SA warm-up game, it might mark the return of the players from the two teams who were absent due to injuries.
The article that follows includes a detailed preview of the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup warm-up match, which includes the head-to-head record, their probable playing XI, a pitch report and live streaming details of the only warm-up game for India.
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match Preview:
Match Date: The India vs South Africa match will be played on Wednesday, February 4th.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Venue: The match will take place at Dr. DY Patil Sports Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
Time: The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM IST.
IND vs SA Squads
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh.
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, and Tristan Stubbs.
IND vs SA Probable XIs:
India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy.
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde/Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match Key Battles
Abhishek Sharma vs Marco Jansen
Indian batter Abhishek Sharma is the most explosive batsman in recent times. The left-handed batter has been considered one of the major forces behind India’s run-getting. Marco Jansen brings along some exceptional bounce on tracks, which offers nothing to pacers. Hence, Jansen can pose a huge threat to the dangerous opening batter, as he has a knack for striking with the new ball.
Ishan Kishan vs Kagiso Rabada
India’s batting form can easily be described as mind-blowing, which we noticed in the series against New Zealand. Ishan Kishan, who made a comeback into international cricket, finalised his spot with fearless ball striking. He scored his maiden century in the series as well.
Kagiso Rabada brings along the experience of several World Cups alongside him. As the best bowler in the Protea side, the South African veteran has also played several splendid innings in India over the seasons.
Quinton de Kock vs Arshdeep Singh
Quinton de Kock has been South Africa’s best man ever since his return to international cricket. The legendary batter who reversed his international retirement would be handed the main role alongside Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, who can be scorers at the top of the order.
Arshdeep Singh, on the other hand, has the knack of picking wickets with the new ball, and hence he is a major threat to the South African left-hander. The bowler recently picked up a 5-wicket haul against New Zealand on a batting track in Trivandrum.
Dewald Brevis vs Varun Chakravarthy
Dewald Brevis, the right-handed explosive middle-order batter, has been promoted as the ideal replacement for Heinrich Klaasen. Brevis, alongside Tristan Stubbs, can be backed as the two most explosive sets of run-scorers during the death overs.
Varun Chakravarthy, the veteran spinner who claimed the highest rank for India in T20Is, will once again turn out to be crucial for India in their campaign. Chakravarthy will be playing his first-ever T20 World Cup for India.
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match Key Players:
India Key Players: Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy
SA Key Players: Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match – Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details
TV Broadcast in India: The warm-up game between India and South Africa will be broadcast live across India on the Star Sports Network.
Online Live Streaming in India: Fans from around the world can watch this live on their mobile phone and laptops with an active subscription on the JioStar app.
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match Weather and Pitch Report – Mumbai
IND vs SA: Weather Report in Mumbai
According to Accuweather, the temperature will be around 33 degrees during the daytime, which will gradually fall as he proceeds through the evening. The lowest temperature recorded could be around 23 degrees.
The Mumbai weather offers a high amount of humidity, which makes it a little uncomfortable for players; however, during this time of the year, rain will not cause a hindrance in the course of the game.
IND vs SA: Pitch Report at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy
The pitch at the DY Patil Stadium offers some relative help for both spinners and pacers. However, the pitch cannot be predicted as a batting or bowling pitch. With partial green patches alongside wide open spaces on the pitch, lush green outfields and short boundaries, the ground can be suitable for high-scoring entertainers as well as low-scoring thrillers.
IND vs SA Head-to-Head Records
India and South Africa have played a total of 31 times in the shortest format of the game. South Africa have won just 12 times, while the Men in Blue have managed 18 wins. In the last T20I series, which South Africa played in India, the Men in Blue defeated them by a 3-1 margin.
In ICC T20 World Cups, South Africa have just managed two wins in 2009 and 2022, while on the other hand, India emerged victorious in 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014 and lastly, in the final of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
|
Stats |
Matches |
IND Won |
SA Won |
Draw |
Tied |
NR |
|
Overall |
31 |
18 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
In T20 World Cup |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Last 5 T20Is |
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
IND vs SA T20 World Cup Warm-up Match—Who will win the match?
The Indian team would once again be looking forward to making a positive start to their ICC T20 World Cup campaign. However, on the other hand, the Proteas would be expecting some better results in the Indian subcontinent. India will be considered the heavyweights of the warm-up match, as they are also the favourites to win the World Cup.
ALSO READ: Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of cricket ahead of T20 World Cup 2026