South Africa bring back first-choice quartet as India make tactical call to leave out Axar Patel

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South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first against India in Ahmedabad, with captain Aiden Markram pointing to a dry black-soil surface as the key factor behind the decision. The pitch, similar to the one used in the previous match at the venue, appeared drier than typical Ahmedabad tracks and was expected to offer less early tackiness for seamers. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav admitted he would have chosen to bat as well but was content with bowling first on a surface adjacent to the one used against the Netherlands.

Markram confirmed that South Africa had restored all four of their first-choice players who were rested in the previous fixture. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and David Miller returned to the XI, strengthening both their pace attack and middle order. Kagiso Rabada retained his spot ahead of Anrich Nortje, despite Nortje’s two-wicket outing in his only appearance so far. The move signals South Africa’s intent to field their strongest combination in this high-stakes encounter.

India, meanwhile, sprung a tactical surprise by leaving out Axar Patel and bringing in Washington Sundar. The decision suggests an early reliance on off-spin, particularly against left-handers Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. Suryakumar described the change as “tactical,” hinting at match-up strategies despite India’s seam duo and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy boasting strong records against South Africa’s top order.

With both teams opting for strategic adjustments based on pitch conditions, the India vs South Africa clash promises to be a fascinating contest of tactics and execution. South Africa’s decision to bat first on a dry Ahmedabad surface sets the tone, while India’s spin-heavy approach underlines their adaptability in crucial matches.