Proteas vs India: Four match-ups to watch in Ahmedabad on Sunday

South Africa take on India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday in their opening Super 8 clash of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup. 

Independent Media's Senior Contributor Ongama Gcwabe highlights Four Match-Ups to keep an eye on during the contest. 

Markram - Yadav

All eyes will be on the two captains in Ahmedabad on Sunday, South Africa's Aiden Markram and India's Suryakumar Yadav. The hopes of their nations rest on their shoulders, and they stand to take all the blame or the glory depending on the result of their respective teams. 

Markram has been in fine form all season, from the SA20 to the ongoing T20 World Cup, as he has smashed four half-centuries, two of which were unbeaten, and one century in his last 10 T20 innings. 

In the India camp, Yadav has also been on song, having recorded four half-centuries in his last 10 T20I innings. 

The captain who leads from the front with the bat and makes good decisions on the field with bowling changes and field placements will likely lead his team to victory. 

De Kock - Bumrah

Through the 13 years that Quinton de Kock has been playing international cricket, bowlers around the world have identified that the best time to get him out is early on in his innings. He tends to have a weakness with the moving new ball that is pitched up. 

India's Jasprit Bumrah will certainly be looking to exploit that weakness on Sunday, and if there is any bowler who could exploit that weakness in the India bowling attack, it is Bumrah with his pace and control. 

On the other hand, De Kock is hungry to perform for the team and win trophies. His form since returning to international cricket proves just how determined he is to do something special for South Africa. 

Thus far, De Kock has the highest score of 59 in the World Cup, and it has been his only milestone with the bat. Behind the stumps, the 33-year-old will be crucial to take catches and help Markram make educated decisions with field placings and reviews. 

Brevis - Chakravarthy 

India's leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy is currently in the form of his life. Thus far, he has taken a tally of seven wickets in the tournament and is a serious threat to South Africa's batting unit. It is very difficult to pick him up and understand what he is trying to do in terms of which direction the ball is going to spin towards.

However, despite the mystery that Chakravarthy brings, pressure tends to neutralise any threat from bowlers, and there is no better batter to put pressure on him than Dewald Brevis with his brute strength and license to attack. 

The youngster is yet to set the tournament alight, and given the occasion, he just might be the difference. 

Miller - Pandya

Miller and Pandya are the two most experienced players in their respective teams. Under pressure, experience plays a big factor, and both teams will look to their experienced heads to bring about calm and direction. 

Miller proved his worth during the Afghanistan double super-over, as he managed his nerves well and guided the Proteas to victory. 

On the other hand, Pandya has been reliable with both bat and ball through the Group stage, and is the one player that skipper Yadav will look to when pressure arises. 

Ongama Gcwabe is a prominent sports journalist. Writing for Independent Media as a senior contributor, and is recognised for his expertise in SA cricket.