T20 World Cup finalists India and South Africa meet again

AFP | Durban                                                    

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South Africa start a fourmatch Twenty20 international series against India at Kingsmead on Friday, just over four months after the visitors beat them in the T20 World Cup final. Both squads show significant changes from the sides that played in Barbados, where India lifted the trophy with a seven-run win.

South Africa will be missing their three most successful bowlers from the World Cup campaign – fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje and left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, as well as batsman-wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

With most of India’s leading players preparing for a Test series in Australia, there are only four survivors from the World Cup-winning team -- captain Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Panday, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh.

South African coach Rob Walter acknowledged the reality of having to prepare a team at a time of congested and often conflicting schedules.

“The worlds of shortform cricket, leagues and Test matches are starting to encroach on each other. We’re seeing that with other sides around the world having to field two different squads.

“We want to be in the same position and know that we’re strong enough to win on both fronts. “Cricket is in a tenuous position and it’s going to take some seriously strong management to make sure that we look after our players first and foremost so that when they do play for South Africa, they’re there to deliver their best performances.”