File photo of Suryakumar Yadav.© X (Twitter)

Suryakumar Yadav in action for India against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024 final© AFP

David Miller said that he will continue to be available and play for the Proteas.© AFP

Suryakumar Yadav was spot on with his decision-making and awareness while pulling off the game-changing catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados, said India’s fielding coach T Dilip. Needing 16 runs from the final over, the dangerous David Miller hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya but Suryakumar steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, released it just as he went over the boundary ropes and then came back in to complete an astonishing catch.

“When the moment comes, it’s his decision and awareness of rope, that’s very important, and knowing with confidence that he can throw and come back, it’s a decision making at that time, and he got on to that,” Dilip told PTI Video while speaking about the catch.

Dilip, who had started the innovative practice of awarding medals for best fielding performance at training, said the young and experienced players “gel well” and called it one of the best things of this Indian team.

“I must give credit to the players for taking time out to come for even optional practice despite such a tight schedule. They themselves take responsibility and come for optional practice.

“Second, we all come through a system, like India A, NCA… One great thing about this squad is that there is a combination of experienced players and a combination of youth, and they really gel well together,” Dilip said after the team’s title triumph on Saturday.

Dilip is the best example of someone who has risen through the ranks, coaching in a state cricket academy’s junior age-group programme, serving as an assistant fielding coach in the now defunct IPL side Deccan Chargers while also spending a decade at the National Cricket Academy.

He has put in the hard yards since being appointed to the post and it reflected in the India’s efforts on the field.

He said it is difficult to track the white ball while taking high catches during daytime matches.

“Especially under clear sky, it becomes really difficult, and for that too we say that track the ball so that you get that much anchor point. So, if there is cloud, floodlights, then it becomes easier to track. But, definitely, it’s still not easy to track, especially for players from the sub-continent,” Dilip said.

Since 2012, Dilip has worked at various ZCA (Zonal Cricket Academy) and NCA age-group camps. He has worked with the likes of Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal during his NCA days and hence, there is a familiarity with the younger group of cricketers in the national set-up.

As far as the senior players are concerned, his good work didn’t go unnoticed by erstwhile NCA director and outgoing India head coach Rahul Dravid, who ensured that Dilip got regular India A assignments, which would also help him develop training modules for elite cricketers. 

Suryakumar Yadav’s boundary-rope catch to dismiss David Miller© X (Twitter)

Suryakumar Yadav in action for India during T20 World Cup 2024 final© X (formerly Twitter)

The finalists of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 have been decided and for the first time ever, an unbeaten team will lift the title when India lock horns with South Africa on June 29. And this time, it’s Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval that will host the first daytime T20 World Cup Final. This will also be the first time South Africa will be competing in the Men’s World Cup Final. Apart from winning the inaugural Champions Trophy Final in 1998, South Africa have never made the final of any Men’s ICC tournament and needless to say, Aiden Markram and his team will be keen to etch their name in history.

Ahead of a must-win contest for both sides on Saturday, let’s discuss how the Proteas can tackle the Asian giants to clinch their maiden World Cup title.

Is South Africa prepared for high-flying India in the final?

Win toss, bat first

With bowling being their strong suit, South Africa should prefer bowling second in the final. In the four day matches played at the Kensington Oval, the team winning the toss has decided twice to bat first in the tournament.

Overall in this tournament, India have batted first five times out of their seven matches and have won them all. Tactically, Aiden Markram’s men should opt to bat first after winning the toss in the final. Even if India bat first, South Africa have enough firepower in their bowling to remove the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early in the innings.

Go slow to Suryakumar

India’s middle order has been making the difference in most of their wins and with Suryakumar Yadav in the middle, it’s always a challenge for any opposition bowling unit.

Surya – the world’s No.1 T20I batter – loves using any pace and bounce on offer to go behind the wicket which is prominently known as ‘Supla Shot’. The unorthodox shots behind the stumps have brought out the best of Suryakumar against South African pacers.

Interestingly, pacers have found success against him with their slower balls – a reminder of how Suryakumar struggled against slow bouncers in the ODI World Cup 2023 Final.

The Proteas’ pacers need to be wary about any chinks in Suryakumar’s armour and try different variations consistently against him.

Maharaj in the powerplay can work

Indian opening duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have always enjoyed facing pace early in the innings. South Africa, generally, have opened the proceedings with pacers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.

After their loss to India in the semis, skipper Jos Buttler admitted his tactical mistake of not going with spinner Moeen Ali in the powerplay. Bearing this in mind, South Africa should try out a couple of overs from Keshav Maharaj inside the first six overs. Traditionally, both Rohit and Kohli have tended to score slowly against left-arm spin.

South Africa play spin better

South African batters tend to play spin better compared to the other SENA countries. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller have been South Africa’s best players of spin while the likes of Quinton de Kock and skipper Markram still have a decent hold on spinners.

But can they withstand the collective pressure that the Indian spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja could bring from both ends? Yes, they can. With a clear head, the Protea batters must use the depth of their crease to attack the Indian spinners and keep their run rate healthy.

When it’s do or die opposition doesn’t matter

South Africa have always been on the receiving end of defeat in World Cup knockouts and this is the first time they have made a World Cup Final. Interestingly, they have come close on many occasions, reaching the semis in five ODI World Cups (1992, 1999, 2003, 2015, and 2023).

And in T20 World Cups, they have made two semi-final appearances (2004 and 2014) before this year. As the stars seemingly align for South Africa in 2024, it will be up to their men on the field to ensure that the Proteas create history by clinching their first-ever World Cup trophy.

South Africa will face India in the Final of the prestigious ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on June 29 at 8:00 PM IST. The most-awaited clash will be hosted at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. South Africa are yet to add the coveted silverware to their trophy cabinet while India won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup 2007 played in Johannesburg.

T20 World Cup 2024 Final

As we reach the climax of the ninth edition, it is worth noting that both teams South Africa and India, have remained unbeaten in the tournament so far.

The Aiden Markram-led team broke the jinx of SA’s knockout games vs Afghanistan in Trinidad in a Semi-Final clash to feature in the Final on June 29. While Rohit Sharma’s men overcame the ghosts of Adelaide 2022 to beat England and inch closer to the 2024 trophy.

Key player battles ahead of the SA vs IND Final

As we head into the adrenaline-filled day of T20 cricket, here are some interesting player battles to keep an eye on:

1. Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20 World Cups with 1,216 runs in 34 games. However, Kohli’s recent form says otherwise. In seven matches of the ongoing tournament, the top-order batter has managed only 75 runs with a top score of 37. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada has been one of their go-to bowlers for much-needed dismissals. In eight games, the right-arm pacer has taken 12 wickets.

Kohli has faced Rabada in six T20Is and has fallen prey to him once at a decent average of 7.5. While the chase master has scored only 15 runs out of 16 balls faced. In the upcoming clash, Rabada’s form will be crucial for his team’s success in the power play.

2. Rohit Sharma vs Keshav Maharaj

In this tournament, Rohit Sharma has led India’s batting from the front with 248 runs in seven games. His three half-centuries with a top score of 92 highlights his blazing form. Keshav Maharaj, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has performed decently with nine wickets in seven matches and can trouble the Indian skipper on the spin-friendly pitch at Kensington Oval.

Furthermore, what makes this face-off interesting is that in their only T20I encounter, the Proteas talent has dismissed Rohit while giving only just 11 runs.

3. Quinton de Kock vs Arshdeep Singh

The only South African batter to cross 200 runs in this tournament is Quinton de Kock with 204 runs in eight outings. On the opposite side, Arshdeep Singh, a young pacer, has climbed up the ranks for the Men in Blue with 15 wickets in seven appearances. His best T20I spell of 4/9 was recorded against the USA earlier this month.

Predominantly, Arshdeep has enjoyed bowling against de Kock in T20Is as the left-arm pacer has dismissed him twice at an average of six while conceding only 12 runs at a strike rate of 100.

4. David Miller vs Hardik Pandya

With 148 runs in seven innings in the T20 World Cup 2024, David Miller has provided crucial support in the middle order. India’s Hardik Pandya has also made his presence felt with his all-round abilities. With the ball, Pandya has scalped eight wickets in seven matches.

In a twist of fate, Miller and Pandya have shared the dressing room while playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2022 and 2023. In the T20I setup, Pandya has got Miller’s wicket thrice out of six match-ups while Miller has managed 31 runs in 27 balls faced. It’ll be interesting to see how the two players battle it out as rivals on one of cricket’s biggest occasions.

5. Suryakumar Yadav vs Tabraiz Shamsi

After scoring 196 runs in seven games, Suryakumar Yadav is on the list of the top 10 run-getters in this edition of the World Cup. The right-handed batter also has two fifties to his credit. Tabraiz Shamsi, South Africa’s experienced left-arm wrist spinner has also made a difference with 11 wickets in just four games.

In their three T20I face-offs, both players are placed evenly. Suryakumar has plundered the left-arm spinner at a strike rate of 121.43 while Shamsi has removed Suryakumar once. With three boundaries and a maximum, the Indian batter has scored 34 runs in 28 balls against Shamsi.

WI vs SA T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE Updates: West Indies final chance in Super 8.© X (Twitter)

West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Live Streaming: West Indies could see curtains drawn to their 2024 T20 World Cup on home soil, if they lose to South Africa in the final Super 8 game. West Indies currently lie on the same number of points as England, but with a better net run rate, and a loss for the English to the USA would see West Indies and South Africa qualify no matter what. While South Africa come into the game with a 100% win record in the T20 World Cup so far, a big defeat for them, along with a big win for England, could dramatically swing the scales.

When will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Monday, June 24 (IST).

Where will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

What time will the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 6:00 AM IST. The toss will take place at 5:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The West Indies vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)