India aims to further enhance their already impressive T20 credentials.

 India have won 23 of their 25 T20Is this year, and a victory on Friday will secure them the series.

India have been nearly flawless in T20Is in 2024. • AFP/Getty Images

The Year India Fully Embraced T20 Cricket

In 2024, India had one of the most remarkable years in T20 international cricket, winning 23 of their 25 T20Is. It was also the year they fully embraced the dynamic nature of the format, shedding their traditionally cautious batting approach in favor of a more aggressive, modern T20 style.

The results speak for themselves. India dominated at home, sweeping both Afghanistan and Bangladesh 3-0, before replicating that success in Sri Lanka. In between, their second-string side defeated Zimbabwe 4-1. However, none of these series victories could compare to their crowning achievement—their unbeaten march to the T20 World Cup title in June.

India’s final T20I of the year is set for Friday in Johannesburg. With an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series, they will be eager to end 2024 on another high note.

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The South African Challenge

Before facing India in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, South Africa had been unbeaten in the tournament. But their form outside of the World Cup has been inconsistent, and they’ve struggled to field a full-strength side. That said, India has faced similar challenges, with both teams often missing key players.

Even if South Africa manages to win on Friday, it would only break a seven-match winless streak in bilateral T20 series. A 2-2 draw would still represent an improvement over the 3-1 loss they suffered in India earlier this year.

Recent Form:

- South Africa: LWLLW (last five T20Is)

- India: WLWWW (last five T20Is)

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In the Spotlight: Marco Jansen and Abhishek Sharma

Marco Jansen has been South Africa's standout player of the series so far, making a successful return from a shoulder injury. With three wickets at an economy rate of 6.41, he has been the most economical bowler on either side. Despite India regularly posting 200-plus totals, Jansen’s efforts have stood out. He is also the leading run-scorer for South Africa in the series, with 73 runs at an explosive strike rate of 208.57. His 16-ball half-century in Centurion nearly led South Africa to an improbable victory, marking the second-fastest T20I half-century for the country.

On the Indian side, Abhishek Sharma was under pressure heading into the third T20I, having failed to pass 20 in his last seven innings. There were concerns about his ability to handle the aggressive lengths of international fast bowling. However, in Centurion, he responded with a well-played 50 off 25 balls, demonstrating better shot selection and providing the foundation for a solid total. With young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill ahead of him in the batting order, Abhishek knows one good innings won’t be enough to secure his place in the team long-term.

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Team News: Possible Changes for South Africa?

South Africa could opt to bring in local legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, possibly replacing pacer Gerald Coetzee in the lineup.

South Africa (probable XI):  

1. Ryan Rickelton  

2. Reeza Hendricks  

3. Aiden Markram (capt)  

4. Tristan Stubbs  

5. Heinrich Klaasen (wk)  

6. David Miller  

7. Marco Jansen  

8. Gerald Coetzee / Nqabayomzi Peter  

9. Andile Simelane  

10. Keshav Maharaj  

11. Lutho Sipamla  

For India, with Ramandeep Singh having proven his worth with the bat in Centurion, they may hesitate to make changes, opting to keep the winning combination intact.

India (probable XI):  

1. Sanju Samson (wk)  

2. Abhishek Sharma  

3. Tilak Varma  

4. Suryakumar Yadav (capt)  

5. Hardik Pandya  

6. Rinku Singh  

7. Ramandeep Singh  

8. Axar Patel  

9. Arshdeep Singh  

10. Ravi Bishnoi  

11. Varun Chakravarthy  

Marco Jansen has been South Africa's standout batter in this series. •AFP/Getty Images

Pitch and Conditions: Rain Threatens Delayed Start

Johannesburg is known for producing high-scoring matches, and the venue lived up to that reputation in its last T20I in December 2023. India posted 201/7, with Suryakumar Yadav scoring a century, but South Africa were bowled out for just 95 in response, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming a five-wicket haul. The weather forecast suggests light rain around 4 pm local time, just half an hour before the toss, but it’s expected to be short-lived, and a full match is likely.

Stats and Trivia: Arshdeep Closing In on Chahal’s Record

- In 2024, India have passed the 200-run mark eight times, the most by any team in a single calendar year.

- Arshdeep Singh needs just five more wickets to surpass Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is.

- Aiden Markram has scored 241 runs in 17 T20Is this year, averaging 16.06 with a strike rate of 120.50. His last half-century in the format came 28 innings ago.

- Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 107 in Centurion was the 21st T20I century by an Indian batter. New Zealand (12) and Australia (11) are the only other teams with 10 or more T20I hundreds.