PROTEAS TO GO OUT GUNS BLAZING IN THE HOPE OF LEVELLING INDIA T20 SERIES

THE Proteas will be looking to end off their India tour on a high with victory in the fifth and final T20 against the hosts at the Narendra Modi Stadium and level the series 2-2 on Friday (3.30pm start).

The Proteas have had a successful tour in India.

Coach Shukri Conrad’s span started the tour with a historic Test series victory, winning their first series in whites in India for the first time in 25 years with a 2-0 clean sweep.

The team then moved to the ODIs, where they lost the first match and bounced back strongly in the second, but lost the third and final match, losing the series 2-1.

In the shortest format, the Proteas trail 2-1, with the fourth match abandoned without a ball bowled due to dik fog in Lucknow on Wednesday.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a mask to trigger online discussions on deteriorating pollution levels.

On Friday, captain Aiden Markram will be looking to lead his manne to victory, level the T20 series and wrap up their tour on a high before the squad returns home to take part in the SA20.

Markram has been in kwaai form in the series and will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in Ahmedabad.

The skipper will also be looking to the experienced Quinton de Kock to work his magic and take the Proteas to a series-levelling victory.

Experienced player David Miller will try to turn his form around and prove to Conrad and convenor of selectors Patrick Moroney that he is worthy of selection as the team continues to build towards next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje will also be looking to cement a spot in the squad as he recently returned from a lank back injury.

A victory for South Africa against the T20 world champions will go a long way in boosting the squad’s confidence as they will be left with only three matches, against the West Indies at home, before the World Cup in February.

Conrad and Moroney will be keeping a close eye on the players’ performances as they have some tough decisions to make, especially given the fact that the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Rassie van der Dussen, and Tabraiz Shamsi are all available for selection despite not having taken part in India.