3 things India need to do right to beat South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final
The scars of November 19, 2023 might still be fresh in the eyes of Indian fans, but the players will have only one thing on their mind right now. India will face off against South Africa in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup with a chance to add some silverware for a cabinet that hasn't been opened in over a decade.
The Men in Blue will lock horns with the Proteas at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Satuurday, June 29. They are unbeaten so far in the competition, having notched up seven wins in eight matches.
However, India haven't been at their best from a tactical standpoint over the course of the competition. They have made at least a couple of mistakes in every match, but the sheer quality of their side, combined with some excellent individual performances, have pushed them to the summit clash.
There is no room for error now. Here are three things India need to do right to beat South Africa in their 2024 T20 World Cup final clash.
#3 India must get Shivam Dube to face spinners
Shivam Dube was demoted to No. 7 in the semifinal clash against England, and he lasted just one ball. The southpaw, who has been picked in the squad to take on spin, hasn't had enough balls to face in the first phase of the middle overs.
Against South Africa, India can't afford to make the same mistake. Dube needs to be at the crease soon after the powerplay ends to take on Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, and the other batters need to be used accordingly.
Rishabh Pant looks out of place at No. 3, with India not maximizing the powerplay and forcing the rest of their batters to bat away from their ideal spots. The likes of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja definitely shouldn't be promoted ahead of Dube either.
#2 The Men in Blue need to hold their nerve
This might seem like an intangible, vague thing to say, but India shouldn't deviate from the brand of cricket that has taken them thus far in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The Men in Blue have packed their side with eight batters and tried to be positive, an approach that yielded dividends in the recent semifinal against England. The same should continue in even in a high-pressure game like the final.
In the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, India prepared a questionable pitch, changed their new-ball bowlers, and adopted a cautious batting approach after a few early wickets. They experienced the ramifications of not holding their nerve, and those memories will still be fresh.
#1 Rohit Sharma and Co. should attempt to hit Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi out of the attack
Speaking of the 2023 World Cup, India dominated South Africa in their group-stage encounter. One of the main reasons behind that was Rohit Sharma launching an attack on Marco Jansen, who unraveled when put under the pump.
South Africa are playing five frontline bowlers this tournament, and two of them - Jansen and Shamsi - are prone to losing their radar. India need to do their best to put them under pressure with attacking strokes and constant strike rotation.
Rohit Sharma will no doubt already have plans to do this, but the rest of the batters need to buy in to the philosophy.