South Africa vs India first T20I 2024: Kingsmead pitch history and T20I records
A tough challenge lies ahead for Suryakumar Yadav's India as they take on South Africa in their own backyard. The Kingsmead Stadium in Durban will kickstart a four-match T20I series between the two nations who played the T20 World Cup 2024 final.
The Men in Blue have won 19 T20Is this year, which is the most by any nation. In the last series, they wreaked havoc against Asian rivals Bangladesh. South Africa, meanwhile, have won nine out of 17 T20Is in 2024, even failing to win a two-match T20I series against Ireland.
The last time these two teams met in a T20I at Kingsmead, the match was washed out without a ball being bowled. Ahead of tonight's clash, here are some important numbers you need to know from previous T20Is played at the venue.
Kingsmead, Durban T20I stats & records
Matches played: 20
Matches won by teams batting first: 9
Matches won by teams batting second: 8
Matches tied: 1
Matches abandoned: 2
Highest team total: 226/6 - Australia vs. South Africa, 2023
Lowest team total: 73 - Kenya vs. New Zealand, 2007
Average first innings score: 136
South Africa vs India: Kingsmead, Durban pitch report
While the pitch report will be telecast just before the toss, the surface in Durban generally helps both batters and bowlers. Batters should plan to hit to the square boundaries, which are shorter than the straight boundaries.
Bowlers who can change up variations skilfully should find it a bit easier at Kingsmead. Only once has the 200-run mark been breached in the last 10 T20 games at the venue. It wouldn't be a bad option to bat first after winning the toss.
South Africa vs India: Last T20I match at Kingsmead, Durban
The last T20I match scheduled at Kingsmead was between South Africa and India. However, it was abandoned as mentioned above. Prior to that, the venue hosted three T20 internationals between South Africa and Australia.
The Aussies, led by Mitchell Marsh, won all three matches. The last match saw them win by five wickets. The hosts were impressive with the bat, hammering 190/8. Sean Abbott was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, taking 4/31.
Chasing 191, the visitors chased it down with 13 balls to spare, courtesy of a 48-ball 91 from Travis Head. Thirteen wickets fell in that South Africa vs Australia clash, with pacers accounting for eight of them, while the batters hit 26 sixes in 37.5 overs.
Brief Scores: South Africa 190/8 (Donovan Ferreira 48, Sean Abbott 4/31) lost to Australia 191/5 (Travis Head 91, Bjorn Fortuin 2/36) by 5 wickets