'Rohit vs Jansen': 5 must key battles that will define the outcome of India vs South Africa final

Ahead of T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa here on Saturday, PTI looks at five key contests that could determine course of match.

1. Rohit Sharma vs Marco Jansen

It’s t a fabled rivalry. Yet. But Indian skipper has a certain vulnerable side to left-arm pace as substantiated by Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi in past.

Though it is less prounced w, Jansen, who has been in fine fettle in event, could open up that old wound with his probing line outside off-stump to deny India early momentum.

However, numbers are in favour of Rohit. Mumbaikar has faced SA pacer in nine T20I innings and was dismissed only once while taking 113 runs off him.

2. Virat Kohli vs Kagiso Rabada

India’s unbeaten run in this ICC showpiece has masked poor run of Kohli with bat – 75 runs from seven matches at an aver of 10.71. Kohli will run into a formidable opponent in Rabada in title clash.

SA quick has so far taken 12 wickets from eight matches, but his ecomy is even more impressive – 5.88 – considering he often bowls in Power Play and in death overs.

Kohli would do well to exert some care while playing that trademark swat-flick as Rabada’s incoming deliveries can sneak past it. In all T20Is, Rabada has ousted Kohli four times in 13 innings, giving away just 51 runs.

3. Rishabh Pant vs Keshav Maharaj

This could be a very interesting battle, and t just because of ir current form. Let’s take a look at ir numbers in tournament first. Pant has so far made 171 runs from seven matches at a reasonable strike-rate of 129 and Maharaj has bagged 9 wickets from seven matches. wicketkeeper batter has been batting . 3 in this event, and in all possibility, he could meet left-arm spinner inside first 10 overs.

Maharaj will have to be at his accurate best to prevent Pant from playing all his unconventional shots, and left-hander was also dismissed three times playing reverse sweep/paddle. Maharaj will hope that Pant will be equally adventurous against him.

4. Jasprit Bumrah vs Quinton de Kock

De Kock is highest run-getter for SA in this World Cup with 204 runs from eight matches, made at a strike-rate of 143. His bursts upfront have given m an upper hand in some low-scoring matches. But he will be up against Bumrah, best bowler on planet at this moment.

Indian pacer has taken 13 wickets from seven matches at an astounding ecomy of 4.12. De Kock will have to be at his absolute best t just to score runs off Bumrah, but even t to lose his wicket against him.

5. Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav vs Heinrich Klaasen

Klaasen is certainly among most destructive players against spin. But in this World Cup he has made just 138 runs from eight matches at an anaemic strike-rate of 112. right-hander will have to be contend with Axar and Kuldeep, who have been troubling batters with ir exemplary lines and subtle variations.

Klaasen will have to regain his range-hitting abilities if South Africa want some steam in middle overs, eir while setting or chasing a total.