IND vs SA 4th T20I: Wanderers Johannesburg Pitch Report
)
Wanderers Johannesburg Pitch Report (Source:@CliffShiko/X.com)
The stage is set for the fourth and final T20I between South Africa and India. It has been an enthralling series so far with both teams exchanging blows, and after a win in third game at the SuperSport Park, India have taken a 2-1 lead in the series. South Africa can only level the series now, and it promises to be a cracking game with two sides desperate for a win.
Though India are leading the series, South Africa have played good cricket in the last two matches. After the Men in Blue won the first game comprehensively, the Proteas came back strongly and clinched a low-scoring encounter. In the last game, Tilak Varma smashed a stunning century to outclass the home team on a flat deck and let's see how the pitch will behave in the final T20I at the iconic 'Bull Ring.'
Wanderers Johannesburg Stats And Records In T20Is
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 |
| Matches won batting first | 16 |
| Matches won batting second | 17 |
| Average 1st innings score | 174 |
| Average runs per over | 8.67 |
Wanderers Johannesburg Pitch Report: Is It Batting First Or Bowling Friendly?
The Wanderers is known for its batting friendly nature and boundaries generally flow at the 'Bull Ring' due to the high altitude of the ground. The surface generally offers true bounce with good pace and strokeplayers tend to enjoy batting at this ground with scoring rate being 8.67 per over. The average first innings score at the venue is 174 in T20Is and in the last 10 innings, their have been six scores in excess of 185. So, we can expect batters to dominate the proceedings and it is likely be another high-scoring encounter.
The bowlers would have to use their variations on this pitch and the likes of Phehlukwayo and Lungi Ngidi who rely on change of pace have most wickets in T20Is at this venue. There is a tendency of uneven bounce at the Wanderers too, and the last T20I game between India and South Africa at the venue was an interesting one where the visitors scored over 200 and South Africa were bowled out under 100 with Kuldeep Yadav picking five-wicket haul. So, wrist spinners also tend to be effective on this pitch with Tabraiz Shamsi being the third-highest wicket-taker at the venue.
The team batting first has won 16 matches while team chasing has won 17. So, the toss is not likely to make a lot of difference but teams tend to prefer chasing in South Africa in white-ball formats and the same might be followed in the final T20I.
.jpg?im=Resize=(650,450))
Players To Watch Out For At The Wanderers Johannesburg
Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma came back to form in the last game and smashed a quickfire fifty. The pitch at the Wanderers is expected to assist strokeplay and it is a great opportunity for Sharma to build on the momentum he gained in the last match. He tends to play high-risk cricket and if he gets it right, he might get high rewards at the Wanderers. So, he is certainly a player to watch out and would be determined to get a big score.
Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen is one of the most dangerous batters in world cricket and he showed that in the last game with 41 off just 22 balls. He has the ability to take apart both spinners and pacers and has 407 runs in 14 innings in T20s he has played at the venue. His strike rate is 162.80 and he could make a big impact in the final T20I.
Varun Chakaravarthy
The mystery spinner has been the pick of the bowlers in this series and has picked 10 wickets in three matches. He has been immaculate in his line and lengths and could well be the difference between the two sides on a flat deck at the Wanderers.
)
.jpg "Sarfaraz Khan Injured In Nets!!!")
