The IPL season has recently concluded with the Gujarat Titans winning it all, but the game never stops. The Indian Cricket team will be playing South Africa in the coming weeks for a Best-of-Five T20 Series. Yes, many big names will be absent, but there will be some spicy action with tense moments regardless. Let’s take a look at some key pointers from the cricket betting standpoint.
No Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s fall from grace has been nothing short of a Greek tragedy. He already had 70 international tons back in 2019, but has failed to score even one during the COVID-19 pandemic. His IPL 2022 campaign was also one of his worst. Indian selectors have promptly dropped him from this tour, hoping that a prolonged rest will help him calibrate what once was a ruthless and dominant batting brain.
LCI Recommendation: Keep Virat Kohli in your hearts, cherish the memories, but do keep following the news. He may just retire abruptly.
Rise of the Youngsters
India’s squad will feature all starlets that are expected to take over in a couple of years. Raturak Gaikwad, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, and Deepak Hooda are expected to feature extensively in this series. Especially, if India manages to win the first couple of games and seal the fate of the series. Keep an eye on Umran Malik, the speedster who is expected to take the next big step in his bowling career.
LCI Recommendation: Many youngsters will be putting in good performances, but Umran Malik can be the top wicket taker in this series.
This is NOT India’s B-Squad
As mentioned earlier, Kohli won’t be padding up and nor will we see Rohit Sharma this time. But there are enough top veterans to support the young talent. KL Rahul, probably India’s best batsman in the last couple of years, will be captaining the side. Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Kartick, Rishab Pant, and Shretas Iyer will be providing the punch needed. You also have Yuzi Chahal to take the key wickets.
LCI Recommendation: Despite the immense depth in this Indian squad, we still recommend going for KL Rahul as the top series scorer.
South Africa’s Squad is Bowling-Centric
South Africa no longer can boast legendary batting talent like in the AB De Villers and Faf Du Plessis days. Quinton de Kock and David Miller have the potential to knock quick 50s, but this squad is all about the bowling. Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Marco Jansen are expected to wreak havoc with their pace and swinging deliveries. This team will go only as far as the pacers take them.
LCI Recommendation: South Africa will have a better chance of winning games if they bat first. Their “total chasing” capabilities are iffy at best.
All in all, we are in for a nice cricketing treat with 5 action-packed T20 games where we’ll be seeing India’s future team in action. South Africa has little to offer in the batting department, but the bowling order is impressive. As always, we recommend betting responsibly and using only trusted sportsbooks that are featured on this page. May the best team win.