The 5 match T20 series between India and the Proteas is delicately poised with the Proteas leading 2-1 as they go into the 4th T20 in Rajkot on Friday.
South Africa chased down a massive 212 to beat India by 7 wickets in the 1st T20 in the final over and they then took a 2-0 series lead with a 4 wicket win chasing down 149 in the penultimate over on what was a much tougher track.
The 3rd T20 saw India under pressure knowing that they had to win to keep the series alive and for the 3rd successive match they batted first after South Africa won the toss. India reached 179 for 5, a total that was built on the top order contributions from Gaikwad and Kishan, both who got 50’s at the top of the order and each of those had strike rates of greater than 150. There was some solid bowling by the South Africans with Pretorius with his 2 for 29 off 4 overs probably the pick.
South Africa’s innings never got going and they were bowled out for a 131 to lose by 48 runs. Klaasen was the top score for the Proteas for the second match in a row with 29 off 24 balls and destroyer-in-chief for India was Harshal Patel with 4 for 25 off 3.1 overs and Kumar was brilliant at the top of the innings finishing with 1 for 21 in his 4 overs.
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India 6/10
South Africa 14/10
India look worthy favourites for this contest and I fancy that they will level things up to set up a thrilling decider. My betting interests though will be in the Exotic Markets.
Selections:
Pre-Match Handicap – South Africa +4.5 wickets / + 13.5 runs at 8/10
While I expect that India will get the win I think we are in for a close game and this one could well go down to the wire.
Batsman Match Runs, Hendricks under 20.5 at 17/20
Hendricks got 23 runs in the 3rd T20, but he didn’t impress me at the top of the order and for me looks a bit out of sorts, I am backing him to score 20 runs or less in this one.
Top Home Batsman, Gaikwad at 33/10
He was impressive at the top of the order and for me it was a straight choice between him and fellow opener, Kishan whose price is slightly shorter at 3/1. I will go with the bigger price here.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
