๐ India vs South Africa T20I: 3rd Match๐
Resourceful South Africa look to seal series with two to play
India's shortcomings with the ball in the first two matches makes visitors favourites despite uncertainty over de Kock's availability
After a run of 12 unbeaten T20Is leading up to this five-game series, India find themselves on flimsy footing. At Kotla, where the batters could swipe across the line merrily, they made 200-plus but the bowlers came up short. On a two-paced Cuttack strip, the batting seemed rusty and unsure, while bowlers did marginally better.
There's been just one travel day to separate the second and third fixtures, but even in that short turnaround time, plotting a recalibration of plans to fit the conditions will have to be at the top of India's agenda. Conditions have exposed the deficiencies of this team twice already, and a third such successive outing will be fatal.
South Africa, meanwhile, have enjoyed a completely contrasting start to the series. When the situation demanded exceptional batting, a middle-order duo stood up; when they needed to peg India back with the ball, Anrich Nortje & Co. led the way. They've not even flinched with an injury taking out Quinton de Kock. Temba Bavuma's side have been admirably cohesive, complemented well by their captain's luck at the toss. Perhaps a turn of fortune there could rock the boat a little, and give India a shot at keeping the series alive by the end of Tuesday.
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