IND vs SA T20Is, Squad Analysis: Inexperienced Proteas Can Pose Challenge With Proven Match Winners

South Africa would take on a formidable Indian side in a three-match T20I series with the series opener starting in Dharamsala on Sunday. The Proteas would start as the underdogs in the series against hosts Indians who have far more experience and mettle in their squad. The South African team is undergoing a massive transition with a lot of their stalwarts AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy bidding adieu to the game. The think tank is trying out new talents with a definitive road map for the next ICC T20 World Cup coming up in 2020. In what seems to be a relatively inexperienced batting lineup, the Proteas would be heavily dependent on the experienced pair of David Miller and Quinton De Cock. With Faf Du Plessis being rested for the series, they have reposed faith on the leadership skills of De Cock who has some runs under his belt. De Cock may not have the best of records in T20Is, but has been a heavy run-scorer in the IPL over the past few seasons. The attacking left-hander aggregated 529 runs in 16 innings at an average of 35.26 in the last IPL. Rassie van der Dussen who has an impressive T20 record has been given the responsibility of the vice-captaincy. Dussen has shown his skills at the highest level by registering two half tons in his seven outings for the Proteas. It is notable that Van Der Dussen was the highest scorer of the Mzansi Super League 2018. Besides De Cock and Dussen, the Proteas have Reeza Hendricks who has been a prolific run scorer in the domestic T20 competitions. Reeza Hendricks has a fine T20 record having scored above 3000 runs in 117 matches at an average of 36.25.. Down the order, they have the hard hitting David Miller who can be an outright match winners with his destructive strokeplay. Miller has shrugged off his poor form with two match winning knocks against Pakistan and Sri Lanka earlier this year. Temba Bavuma was the third-highest scorer in the CSA T20 Challenge scoring 326 runs leading the Lions to victory smashing a 61-ball hundred in the final. The Proteas bowling unit shall be spearheaded by pace ace Kagiso Rabada. Rabada has a stellar record in the shorter format for his national team and would relish bowling in Indian conditions after his highly successful stint in IPL 2019, which saw him account for 25 wickets in 12 matches. Rabada will be assisted by fellow in Beuran Hendricks Anrich Nortje and Junior Dala who have been in rich wicket taking form in the CSA T20 Challenge. The South African spin attack will be led by Tabraiz Shamsi, a proven performer in the shorter format of the game. His workload in the spin duties will be shared by slow left-arm orthodox bowler Bjorn Fortuin, who was the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets at 14.33 apiece in the CSA T20 Challenge 2019.