What happened the last time India played South Africa in a Men's T20 World Cup match?
Two teams remain - India and South Africa - both unbeaten in the tournament so far - both not having the best of records in knockout matches and both looking for that one final step to wipe away years of pain and agony. If ever sports could provide a fairytale finish, it could well be on June 29 in Barbados, but only for one team while the other team would have to walk away with another heartbreak.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, are in another final after the pain of November 19, 2023. Rahul Dravid will leave after this match, Rohit Sharma might linger on for some time, but no one is quite sure. This one is important for this duo and they will need to be at their best against South Africa.
The last time these two sides met at the T20 World Cup in 2022, South Africa bowled first in Perth and blew away the Indian batting order on a conducive pitch en route to a five-wicket victory. The surface at Barbados might not be as juicy for the pacers and hence, both sides need to rock up in their best shape.
South Africa dominated India in their last Men's T20 World Cup meeting in 2022
David Miller and Aiden Markram scored crucial half-centuries in a tricky chase after South Africa stepped up and sliced through India's top order, restricting them to a sub-par total.
Suryakumar Yadav was the lone warrior for India with a counter-attacking 68. South Africa were not off to a good start either but their experienced middle order stuck together to power South Africa to the top of the Group 2 table - incidentally, this was their first win over India in a Men’s T20 World Cup match.
As for Indian batting, Lungi Ngidi hit the perfect length and accepted a return catch off Rohit Sharma. He then nipped one to knock back KL Rahul who offered a catch to Aiden Markram. India tottered to 33 for 2 as Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav took guard, looking to fashion a comeback.
However, it did not quite happen, as after hitting two crisp boundaries off Ngidi, Kohli miscued a pull where Kagiso Rabada took a smart catch to his right. Deepak Hooda had no real hope on this pitch and Hardik Pandya trudged off as Ngidi bounced him out to pick up his fourth wicket.
Suryakumar Yadav did not want to lie back and get peppered, he counter-attacked, and his scoops and whips were out against the seamers. He then took down Keshav Maharaj as India surged from 60 for 5 in 10 overs to 89 for 5 in 14. This saw Temba Bavuma bring back Lungi Ngidi. Suryakumar was in his stride down and picked up a delectable scoop over fine leg.
A straight drive back past the bowler saw him reach his 50 off 30 balls. Wayne Parnell bowled a fine 19th over as he accounted for R Ashwin and even ended Suryakumar's excellent innings on 68 off 40.
India needed to strike with the new ball, and Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami were fiery at the start. Arshdeep sent back Quinton de Kock with an away swinger and Rilee Rossouw with an inswinger. Shami bashed the ball on a length to take care of Temba Bavuma as South Africa were reduced to 24 for 3 in six overs.
India were controlling the pace as South Africa meandered to 40 for 3 in 10 overs and they needed 94 off the last 60 balls. However, the game turned after the drinks break when Aiden Markram and David Miller flicked the switch. Hardik Pandya conceded 16 runs in the over after the break, with the duo collecting three boundaries.
And yes, Virat Kohli shelled a regulation catch off Markram and then Rohit Sharma fluffed a run-out chance, giving Markram another reprieve. By this point, the equation had reduced to 49 off 36 balls and the result was a foregone conclusion as South Africa cruised home in the final over.