We will crown new T20 world champions on Saturday when the T20 World Cup final takes place in Barbados as India look to win the title for the second time when they take on a South Africa side who are looking to get their hands on the trophy for the first occasion.
Both of these teams have come through the draw without being defeated but one of them has to lose in this final. These have been the best sides in the tournament so we should be in for something of a cracking contest.
South Africa
South Africa have already broken new ground having made an ICC event final with the men for the first time in their history. They will be looking to make the most of that now they are here and will certainly be carrying confidence into the final with them although their route through the draw has involved a lot more close battles. They should have been beaten by Bangladesh and Nepal in the first stage of the tournament but have improved since then.
South Africa have been brilliant with the ball in this tournament. They might only have bowled two opponents out but they have only gone for 160 or more once in their seven matches and that is certainly an impressive return. There are question marks over their batting which is yet to truly fire as one in this competition. They know that now would be a brilliant time for that to happen but if they had to win the final by a big individual effort they will take it.
India
It is hard not to be impressed by India in this tournament. It doesn’t matter what conditions they have faced in the event so far, no team has really got near them and they will be hoping that they can go unchallenged one more time. Pakistan were the only ones who have got close to India but if you watched that match rather than went by the scorecard at no stage did they really look convincing in chasing a score down.
India have been the best bowling team in this competition. They have bowled out three of their opponents and taken at least seven wickets in every match that they have played. They attack with the new ball and then their spinners are clever enough to double down on that or halt any progress that has been made by the opposition. Their batters have come into their own since they reached the Caribbean too so India look in good order.
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Team News
South Africa probably aren’t going to change anything this late in the tournament either. The personnel they have switched between has been Tabraiz Shamsi and Ottniel Baartman but the spinner is expected to get the nod in a day game.
India are expected to be unchanged for this final. They haven’t switched too much up since they got to the Caribbean and having demolished England in the semi-final there is no need to change anything now unless they have an illness or late injury.
Betting
I think we are going to get a competitive final but not one that is going to be high scoring. These are the two best bowling units in the competition by a country mile and both teams have variety with the new ball that they can control the powerplay either in terms of run flow or wickets and then manage the innings from there. When you add the pressure of the occasion onto the top of that I don’t think the scoring is going to flow here.
The run line is a little on the low side for comfort for me though so rather than go with that angle I will side with the under on the boundaries which at 38.5 the line looks a little high when there isn’t really a bowler to easily get after in either side. South Africa haven’t really batted well in this tournament and now face the best bowling attack in it. South Africa are holding their own with the ball though and with conditions potentially a little heavy after some rain leading up to final day I’ll take the boundary count to stay under this total.
Tips
Back Under 38.5 boundaries for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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