Virat Kohli against Junior Dala and other South Africa v India key battles

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  • Klaasen against Chahal will be one to watch

    A series win will be at stake for both sides when South Africa and India meet for the third and final T20I in Cape Town on Saturday.

    The hosts came roaring back with a six-wicket win in Centurion to tie the three-match series at 1-1 after the visitors had come on top in the opening match.

    With everything to play for, we look at the key battles which could play a pivotal role in deciding Saturday’s outcome.

    HEINRICH KLAASEN VS CHAHAL/KULDEEP

    Klaasen has only got his chance due to an injury to Quinton de Kock but what a difference he has made. The 26-year-old’s inclusion has come as a blessing in disguise for the hosts with de Kock struggling for runs before his injury.

    Klaasen gave a brief glimpse of his potential with some solid cameos in the preceding ODI series and then completely took apart Yuzvendra Chahal in Centurion as he led South Africa to victory. The right-handed wicket-keeper batsman is fast developing a reputation for his fearless brand of cricket.

    No matter where Chahal bowled, Klaasen had an answer as he sent the ball flying to all parts of the ground. As the leg-spinner finished with the worst figures for an Indian in T20I cricket, Kohli might be tempted to bring in Kuldeep Yadav instead of him.

    Whoever the spinner for India, expect Klaasen to bring the same intent to the table on Saturday.

    Klaasen remains South Africa's biggest weapon against wrist-spin.

    Klaasen remains South Africa’s biggest weapon against wrist-spin.

    VIRAT KOHLI VS JUNIOR DALA

    The India skipper has had one of the most remarkable tours by any batsman in history with four tons so far in the Test and ODIs. He had a rare failure with the bat at Centurion as he got a snorter of a delivery from Junior Dala to be dismissed for just the one run.

    The competitive sportsman that Kohli is, he will no doubt be keen to make amends for that innings and look to close the South Africa tour on a high, both personally and as skipper of the Men In Blue.

    Dala on the other hand, has shown some potential in his first two outings in South African colours. The 28-year-old pacer was expensive in the first T20I though he did end up with two wickets.

    He was the pick of the bowlers at Centurion with two beautifully crafted wickets of Rohit Sharma and Kohli. His task on Saturday, will be to find the early breakthroughs for the Proteas once again.

    Kohli will be eager to finish the tour on a high.

    Kohli will be eager to finish the tour on a high.

    REEZA HENDRICKS VS BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR

    The South African opening batsman has been in fine form in the two T20Is. The technically correct right-handed batsman has played some exquisite strokes in his two knocks of 70 and 26 so far and has compensated for Jon-Jon Smuts’ lack of form at the other end.

    If he can get a start once again on Saturday, it will provide the license to attack for the big hitters like David Miller and Klaasen down the order.

    Hence, it will be up to Bhuvneshwar Kumar to prevent Hendricks from getting in. The Indian pacer picked up a maiden five-wicket haul in the opening match and his knack of picking up early wickets will be crucial to the visitors’ hopes.

    Bhuvenshwar will be tasked to get the early breakthroughs for India.

    Bhuvenshwar will be tasked to get the early breakthroughs for India.

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