India vs South Africa Prediction, 5th T20I – Who will win today’s match between IND vs SA?

India (IND) and South Africa (SA) will be up against for one last in the series, as the fifth T20I will be the final match of the all-format tour. The final showdown will be encountered at the gigantic venue of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. 

India entered the T20Is on the back of a 2-1 win in the ODIs, and that is exactly where they stand in the 20-over leg of the assignment currently. While they do have an unassailable lead in the T20Is, avoiding a loss is the only way they can make the series theirs. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side is in some great form at the moment, and they would want to build on their momentum with an impactful performance on Friday.

South Africa, on the other hand, had their moment in the series when they beat the Men in Blue by 51 runs in the second match. However, a similar kind of performance was what they needed in the game in Dharamshala, but the hosts reigned supreme. The Proteas cannot win the series any more, but they do have an excellent chance of making it 2-2 and return home without a lot to cheer about.

IND vs SA Match Details

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad Pitch Report

Located on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Motera, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, apart from the large crowd it packs, is also reputed to be a heaven for batters, especially in 20-overs cricket. However, the pitch here can get difficult to bat as the match progresses, meaning that it is relatively difficult to chase targets here. The average first innings’ total is 183, and whenever teams have crossed the par score while batting first, they have ended on the winning side. Keeping the rising dew in mind, it is advisable to bat first for the captain winning the toss tonight, too.

IND vs SA Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

IND vs SA Predicted Playing 11s

India

South Africa

Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram (captain), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje

IND vs SA Probable Top Performers of the match

Probable Best Batter — Shubman Gill

India vice-captain and attacking opener Shubman Gill returns to his happy-hunting ground, as he has a lot of experience playing at this venue. This is the only venue where Gill scored his only T20I century so far, which came against New Zealand in India’s last match at this venue. If the Men in Blue bat first, the 26-year-old is expected to be back among runs, as the ground and the conditions will be favouring the ace batter. 

Probable Best Bowler — Jasprit Bumrah

The local boy Jasprit Bumrah will be playing a 20-over international match at his home ground for the first time. He is a master at nailing yorkers and bouncers, while attacking the batters with wicket-to-wicket deliveries. Bumrah also is one of the best bowlers across powerplay and death overs. He will be looking to utilize his experience and skills to produce a memorable outing for him and his team, as India look to take the series.

Today’s Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match