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Aiden Markram reclaims captaincy after filling in during the ODIs, while Quinton de Kock's return to open puts pressure on Ryan Rickelton, though the latter should hold his spot for now. Markram, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs form a menacing middle order, bolstered by all-rounders Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, and Donovan Ferreira who provide both explosive batting and quality bowling. The Proteas possess the firepower to trouble any attack when they click. Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, and Donovan Ferreira provide both explosive batting and quality bowling. Four proper all-rounders. Anrich Nortje's return following the T20 World Cup 2024 finale, partnering with Lungi Ngidi, gives the bowling unit serious teeth. Nortje. Remember that name? The man who regularly hits 150 kph, who can bowl yorkers at will, and who makes batting look like a survival test. Pair him with Ngidi's variations and you've got a new-ball combination that can blow away any top order. Keshav Maharaj and Linde lead the spin attack, giving South Africa a balanced bowling unit that can operate in any conditions. Now, the venue. Cuttack. Just three T20 matches have been played here. Three! That's barely a sample size. How will the pitch play? What's a good score? Does it turn? Does it seam? All valid questions with very few answers. The venue has consistently produced batting-friendly tracks with a fractionally slower pace, so expect runs. But don't be shocked if spinners find some grip as the ball gets older. South Africa have played two of those three matches and won both times, in 2015 and 2022. Of the four T20I series played in India, South Africa have claimed one victory and drawn on two occasions. It's not like the Proteas are pushovers in Indian conditions. They've competed, they've won, and they've proven they can handle the pressure. But can they challenge this Indian team who is progressing ahead on the theme of ultra-aggressive batting? Or can India restrict the resurgent Proteas in the shortest format? An overwhelmingly competitive T20I series is on the cards. Expect entertainment aplenty at the Barabati Stadium.
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All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.



