Cricket South Africa. (Photo Source: ICC)

Two unbeaten sides, India and South Africa, square off in the grand finale of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday, June 29, 8pm IST.

The Proteas are coming into this clash on the back of eight consecutive wins. They defeated Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Nepal, USA, England, West Indies, and Afghanistan en route to the finals. Meanwhile, India got the better of quality oppositions like Ireland, Pakistan, USA, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Australia, and England on their way to the summit clash. Their game against Canada in the first round was washed out, both teams shared equal points.

The Aiden Markram-led side decimated Afghanistan in the semi-finals, dismissing them for just 56 in the first innings. In reply, Quinton de Kock was dismissed early, but Reeza Hendricks and skipper Aiden Markram took the Rainbow Nation to victory. By virtue of this emphatic win against Afghanistan, South Africa booked themselves a berth in the finals of a World Cup for the first time.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI of South Africa for Final against India in T20 World Cup 2024:

Openers: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (WK)

The experienced wicketkeeper-batter is the leading run-getter for South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024. In eight games, he has amassed 204 runs at an average of 25.50 and a strike rate of 143.66, including two half-centuries. If de Kock gets going, South Africa will stand in good stead in the finals.

Reeza Hendricks has been in dismal form so far in the tournament. He has only managed 109 runs from eight knocks, averaging 15.57 and striking at a meagre 87.90. The right-handed batter remained unbeaten in the semi-finals, scoring a 25-ball 29. He would want to build on the decent knock when he faces India on Saturday.

Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Runs

Middle order: Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller

Skipper Aiden Markam has led his team commendably, but is yet to deliver with the bat. He has scored only 119 runs from eight innings at an average of 17 and a strike rate of 101.71, including a highest score of 46. The elegant batter would want to make an impact in the all-important final.

Youngster Tristan Stubbs scored some important runs for the Proteas in the first half of the campaign. However, has yet to take the tournament by storm with his surreal hitting ability. The attacking batter has faced the Indian bowlers a lot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year and would want to thwart their efforts with his skills.

Heinrich Klaasen was in tremendous form during IPL 2024, but the slowish pitches in the USA and the West Indies haven’t suited his aggressive style of play. Barring a few cameos, the wicketkeeper-batter hasn’t managed to shine as bright as he would have liked to. Indian bowlers would be making plans to get rid of him before he gets in.

David Miller is the only other South African batter apart from de Kock to register a half-century in the ongoing World Cup. The southpaw has accumulated 148 runs from seven innings at an average of 29.60 and a strike rate of 100. Miller’s experience and composure under pressure could come in handy for the Rainbow Nation in the all-important encounter.

Also Check: T20 World Cup Most Sixes in History

All-rounder: Marco Jansen

The seam-bowling all-rounder has contributed with some handy runs with the bat and picked up wickets with the new ball as well. In a must-win game against the West Indies, Jansen’s unbeaten 21 off 14 balls helped South Africa get over the line with just three wickets and five balls remaining. The left-arm pacer has taken six wickets in eight game sat an average of 27.33. His burst with the new-ball against the Indian opening duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be crucial.

Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Keshav Maharaj has bowled well and picked up nine wickets from seven matches at an average of 16.89. He has conceded runs at a miserly economy rate of 6.08. He is likely to bowl to destructive left-handers like Rishabh Pant and Shivam Dube through the middle overs. However, the experienced campaigner knows how to hold his own.

Kagiso Rabada has used his experience to good effect and bowled some fantastic overs under pressure. In eight games, he has scalped 12 wickets at 13.25. His overs, especially at the death, will be crucial for South Africa. On the other hand, Anrich Nortje is leading the wicket-taking charts for the Proteas in the tournament so far. He has taken 13 wickets in eight matches at 13.46. His economy rate of 5.65 is extraordinary in modern-day. Markram will rely on the tearaway pacer to hand breakthroughs in the middle overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi has made a phenomenal impact in the four matches he has played. The left-arm wrist spinner has an impressive tally of 11 wickets at an average of under 10. He has the uncanny knack of picking up big wickets, and Proteas fans will hope that he excels in the decisive clash.

Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Wickets

South Africa’s Predicted Playing XI

Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Henricks, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi