South Africa v India: Virat Kohli on the verge of another milestone and other talking points

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  • Kohli could breach another landmark on Saturday.

    After thrashing the hosts handsomely by 5-1 in their maiden ODI series triumph in South Africa, India will look to take that momentum into the three-match T20I series.

    The Wanderers will be the venue for the first T20I between the two sides as India move into the last leg of a long but fruitful tour.

    We look at the key talking points ahead of Sunday’s clash.

    NEW LOOK SOUTH AFRICA LED BY DUMINY

    After an almighty thrashing in the ODI series, the Proteas will field almost a completely different side in the T20 format under the captaincy of JP Duminy. With the Australia series coming up, the hosts have decided to rest the big guns bar AB de Villiers and as such, expect plenty of new faces on Sunday.

    The likes of Reeza Hendricks, Jon-Jon Smuts, Christiaan Jonker, Junior Dala and Dane Paterson will all be in contention to feature for the hosts.

    Duminy will lead a much changed South Africa side in the series.

    Duminy will lead a much changed South Africa side in the series.

    VIRAT KOHLI ON VERGE OF ANOTHER MILESTONE

    After breaking all sorts of records in the ODI series, there will be one more on the horizon for Virat Kohli when he takes the field on Sunday.

    He is 43 runs away from becoming the first Indian batsman to score 2,000 runs in Twenty20 internationals. Only two batsmen, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill from New Zealand, have achieved this feat so far and the India skipper could join them at the table soon.

    In his current form, you wouldn’t count against him breaching the mark in one knock.

    Could be another record-breaking day for the batting maestro.

    Could be another record-breaking day for the batting maestro.

    SURESH RAINA IN CONTENTION TO RETURN

    Sunday’s clash will also afford a chance to India’s forgotten man, Suresh Raina, to enjoy some international cricket once again. The 31-year-old has not played for India in ODIs since 2015 but has been given chances here and there fleetingly in the T20 format.

    The left-handed batsman will be hoping to use this platform to make a case for his inclusion in the 50-over format with India’s middle-order still showing signs of vulnerability.

    Raina will be hoping to make a case for his ODI inclusion.

    Raina will be hoping to make a case for his ODI inclusion.

    INDIA AIM FOR 1-1-1

    After establishing themselves as the dominant force in Tests and ODIs with the No1 ranking, India will now be seeking to claim that mantle in the T20 format too. Kohli’s men sit in third position currently, five points behind arch-rivals Pakistan.

    With a much changed South Africa squad in front of them, they will aim to be ruthless and search for a 3-0 clean sweep which will take them very close to achieving that goal.

    Kohli's men will aim to be ruthless in the T20Is in quest of the No1 rank.

    Kohli’s men will aim to be ruthless in the T20Is in quest of the No1 rank.

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