Suryakumar Yadav leads a new-look Indian squad in a four-match T20 series as the Proteas seek to avenge their recent loss in the World Cup final.

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline ICC T20 World Cup final will still be fresh for South Africa as they face their conquerors India in a four-match T20 series at home starting on Friday.

More than four months may have passed since India’s comeback victory, which sealed their second T20 world title in Barbados, but the South African side will be hurting for letting slip what could have been their first ICC World Cup trophy.

A lot has changed since June 29, with a number of Indian stalwarts making their exit from the game’s shortest format and the champions continuing a near-perfect winning streak in T20 internationals under new captain Suryakumar Yadav.(More Sports News)

Amid the loss of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to retirement, as well as the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant due to Test cricket duties, India’s next generation of players have made their name in the three T20 series since July.

Meanwhile, South Africa have had a poor run in their two series since the final, losing all three games away to the West Indies and one against Ireland.

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The Proteas, too, have played a number of fresh faces in their recent limited-overs series but Aiden Markram remains their T20 captain.

Both teams and, indeed, all top nations around the world, will look to rebuild for the next T20 World Cup, which is just over a year away.

The world champions will get a chance to defend their title at home in the February-March ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to be played in India and Sri Lanka.

For now, though, the focus will be on South Africa’s ability to bounce back from a number of poor results and whether India can continue their hot winning streak away from home.(More Sports News)

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline - Schedule T20 series 2024

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline : T20 head-to-head record

The 27 T20 encounters between the two sides have been nearly even, with India winning 15 games – including the World Cup final – and South Africa 11. One game ended in a “no result” due to a washout.

Both teams won a game apiece when the Proteas last hosted India in a bilateral T20 series in December.

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline -

Form guide: South Africa National Cricket Team

The hosts’ fortunes in the T20 format have taken a hit since the June 29 final loss in Barbados, as they have won only one of their five T20 international matches.

Last five results: L W L L L

Form guide: India National Cricket Team

The world champions are on a 10-game winning streak in the T20 format, with a shock loss away to Zimbabwe in July being the only blot on their 23-match record in 2024.

Last five results: W W W W W

How can I follow the South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team T20 series?

Al Jazeera’s live text and photo coverage for each game will begin three hours before the match start time. Game 1 can be watched here.

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: South Africa National Cricket Team

Markram continues to lead the side as they look to rebuild ahead of the next T20 World Cup without the swashbuckling top-order batter-wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who hung up his boots in June.

The fast-bowling duo of Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have returned to the squad after injury lay-offs with Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj and David Miller also back but Kagiso Rabada has been rested.

All-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana, 24, has received his maiden call-up.

The Proteas have plenty of power hitters, including Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs.

Squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Tristan Stubbs

South Africa National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: India National Cricket Team

India are set to hand debuts to batter Ramandeep Singh, as well as pacers Vijaykumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal.

Three players – Riyan Parag, Mayank Yadav and Shivam Dube – who were part of the home T20 series against Bangladesh are out due to injuries.