India vs South Africa, 2024 T20 World Cup Final: Kensington Oval, Barbados pitch history and T20I records
India will take on South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final at the Kensington Oval today. Both teams have remained unbeaten in their respective journeys to the summit clash.
South Africa topped Group D with wins over Sri Lanka, Nepal, Netherlands and Bangladesh. The Proteas then beat England, USA and West Indies to top Group 2 in Super 8s, followed by a dominant win against Afghanistan in the semifinals.
On the other side, India beat Pakistan, USA and Ireland to finish first in Group A. In Super 8s, the Men in Blue defeated Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia to enter the semifinals, where they crushed England.
The two teams will square off in Barbados now, and before the match starts, here's a look at the pitch history of Kensington Oval.
Kensington Oval, Barbados T20I records
Although teams batting second won the last two T20Is matches in Barbados, the teams batting first have been more dominant at this venue. Fans should note that debutants USA played in the previous two T20Is here, and they were up against two teams - West Indies and England, who played all their group stage matches in the Caribbean unlike USA, who played in America.
Here's a list of some important numbers to know from previous T20I matches hosted by Barbados:
T20I matches played: 32
Won by teams batting first: 19
Won by teams batting second: 11
Abandoned: 2
Highest individual score: 107 - Rovman Powell (WI) vs England, 2022
Best bowling figures: 5/27 - Jason Holder (WI) vs England, 2022
Highest team total: 224/5 - West Indies vs England, 2022
Lowest team total: 80 - Afghanistan vs South Africa, 2010
Highest successful run-chase: 172/6 - West Indies vs England, 2023
Average first innings score: 153
Kensington Oval, Barbados pitch report
The pitch in Barbados is decent for batting. The teams batting first should look to score around 170 runs in their 20 overs. A target of 175 or more has never been chased down successfully at this venue.
Pace bowler Chris Jordan bagged a hat-trick for England in the last T20I at this venue. The pacers may receive some help from the conditions as well.
Kensington Oval, Barbados last T20I
England crushed USA by 10 wickets in the previous T20I match hosted by this venue. Chris Jordan's dream spell of 4/10 helped England bowl USA out for just 115 runs in 18.5 overs.
Chasing 116, England raced to 117/0 in 9.4 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 38-ball 83* from Jos Buttler. 12 sixes were hit in that USA vs England match. 10 wickets fell in the game, with pacers taking seven of them. Here's a summary of the scorecard:
Brief scores: England 117/0 (Jos Buttler 83*, Shadley van Schwalwyk 0/15) beat USA 115 (Nitish Kumar 30, Chris Jordan 4/10) by 10 wickets.