A week after downing Australia at home, the India Cricket Team will take on the South Africa challenge in Durban at the Kingsmead Stadium. With a 4-1 win under their belt, the Men in Blue will face the Proteas at a stadium where they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat just three months ago. So, before the match gets underway, take a look at the detailed IND vs SA 1st T20I pitch report.
Kingsmead Stadium Pitch Report: IND vs SA 1st T20I
The pitch at Kingsmead Stadium is similar to other surfaces in South Africa: fast and bouncy. The pitch offers assistance to pace bowlers, offering swing and seam movement when the ball is new. The surface generally aids spinners in the afternoon, and given the fact that the match will be played at night, spinners will find it difficult to bowl.
The sample size for the ground is considerate, with 18 T20Is being played here. In these matches, the average first-inning score is 143, with the side batting first having a slight advantage, splitting the matches 9-8 in their favour.
The highest score posted here is 226/6 by Australia in 2023 against South Africa. Conversely, the lowest total posted here is 73 by Kenya in 2007 against New Zealand.
While the average score here is 143, this year three T20Is have been played here, which have seen the sides score 193 runs on average. And unlike the stadium trend of sides batting first having an advantage, this year, sides chasing are ahead (2-1). Taking these facts into account, the side that wins the toss may opt to chase. Due to the high-scoring nature, the conditions will aid the batters more in the second inning.