T20 World Cup 2024, SA vs IND Match Up: Top 5 Player Battles to Watch Out For

South Africa (SA) will take on India (IND) in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

India will be eyeing a World Cup win after last lifting a mega event back in 2011. They have lost two finals, incidentally against Australia, and are determined to give their all in their third attempt. Meanwhile, South Africa, despite their impressive run, finds themselves in the role of slight underdogs. The Proteas have had a stellar journey to the final and remain unbeaten in the tournament so far. They will be competing in their first final and will be looking to make history.

1. Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

Virat Kohli has been going through a rough phase in the tournament but is known for his big-match performances. The last time India and South Africa met in a knockout game in an ICC tournament, back in the 2014 semi-final, he struck an unbeaten 72 runs off 44 balls and guided India to a six-wicket win. However, he faces a challenging contest against Rabada in T20s, who has dismissed him four times after conceding 51 runs off 48 balls.

2. Rohit Sharma vs Kagiso Rabada

Rohit Sharma is having a wonderful tournament, scoring 248 runs at an average of 41.33. However, he has an average match-up against Kagiso Rabada which he needs to be cautious about in the final game on Saturday. Rabada has dismissed Rohit 4 times in T20s after conceding 90 runs in 76 balls.

3. Quinton de Kock vs Arshdeep Singh

Quinton de Kock is in fine form with the bat, having scored 204 runs in 8 matches. However, in his upcoming encounter against India, he will face the challenge of the in-form Arshdeep, who has been impressive so far in the tournament. De Kock has scored just 31 runs off 32 balls faced from Arshdeep and has been dismissed three times in the process.

4. Rishabh Pant vs Keshav Maharaj

Rishabh Pant has struggled against Maharaj in their T20 meetings, scoring 6 runs off 8 deliveries and getting dismissed twice at a mere strike rate of 75.00. Aiden Markram will keep this match-up in mind and will look to use Maharaj against Pant in the middle overs.

5. Heinrich Klaasen vs Arshdeep Singh

Heinrich Klaasen has been dismissed once in two meetings against Arshdeep Singh after scoring just 15 runs off 11 deliveries. It will be interesting to see how Klaasen will cope against the in-form Arshdeep in the death overs of the final game.