Nerves will play a big role when title-hungry Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad look to outdo each other and regain the coveted IPL crown when they square off in the final in Mumbai on Sunday.
The Proteas are yet to reach the summit clash of the World Cup, having been knocked out at the semifinal stage four times.
'It doesn't get any easier though against India but it's their first game and our third, so maybe that could give us the edge we need'
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list IPL 2020's Paisa Vasool Players.
Kallis had earlier said that not entering the tournament as favourites could work in South Africa's favour.
Overwhelmed by emotion after getting his maiden India call-up, batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad said he would be banking on his ability to adapt quickly when he tries to make an impression during the upcoming limited overs tour of Sri Lanka.
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who came in at No. 7 in Tuesday's IPL match against Rajasthan Royals, blamed the 14-day quarantine for lack of batting time.
KKR have so far failed to come together as a unit and slipped to sixth in the table after starting the tournament on a high against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Statistical highlights of the drawn first cricket Test between India and South Africa at the New Wanderers.
'My lines to the players was that we have got good runs on the board but let's be humble'
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni brought into play his years of experience to effect a turnaround in Friday's IPL against Royal Challenger Bangalore, in Sharjah.
Bollywood actress and IPL Kings XI Punjab team co-owner, Preity Zinta, has been confirmed as the owner of the Stellenbosch franchise team in the South African T20 Global League.
Australia took firm control of the day-night third Test on Saturday when they reduced South Africa to 194 for six at the close on day three, only 70 runs ahead of their hosts.
Factbox on major ball-tampering incidents in cricket
How did India and Virat Kohli fare in T20Is? Rajneesh Gupta presents all the numbers.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list IPL 2021's 50 Most Valuable Players.
They came close to record a historic win against India but eventually had to settle for a draw in the opening Test at the Wanderers and South African batsman Faf du Plessis' admitted his team was satisfied with the end result.
For the visitors, the game against the Mandeep Singh-led India 'A' side will be more about getting into the match simulation mode before they get going against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team in the opening T20 International at Dharamsala on October 2.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir underlined why he is the world's top-ranked bowler in limited overs cricket as he bamboozled New Zealand's batsmen to help South Africa to a 78-run victory in their only Twenty20 match at Eden Park on Friday.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the important numbers after the third week of IPL 2021.
Sri Lanka - who shocked England so spectacularly in Leeds last week - must now beat West Indies and India in their final two games if they are to stand any chance of making the final four.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings vs KKR in Kolkata on Sunday.
Captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday slammed the Indian batsmen, saying that they were responsible for India's crushing loss in the second Test against South Africa in Pretoria.
Led by Quinton de Kock, South Africa's 44 cricketers, who are part of a men's high performance squad, have returned to training amid the COVID-19 pandemic after getting approval from the country's sports ministry. South Africa has reported more than 1,38,000 COVID-19 cases with over 2,400 deaths.
Opener Dean Elgar struck his third Test century as South Africa rode their luck to finish the first day of the second Test against West Indies on 270 for two on Friday.
A batsman of Russell's calibre may just prove to be the difference between the two sides.
'... Obviously one of the best batsman in the world in Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni with his experience, so they pose a big threat. But the beauty of the game and the tournament structure is that, it doesn't matter where you are ranked or which team you are playing. It is about the performance of the day and that is the most important thing'
It will interesting to see how the pitch behaves on Sunday.
Trent Boult finished with IPL career-best 4-18 in his four overs, including a maiden, while Jasprit Bumrah took 2-25 as CSK finished on a lowly 114-9 in their 20 overs.
India captain Virat Kohli held on to his second position while stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane broke into the top 10 after gaining five places in the latest ICC men's Test batting ranking released on Thursday.
Spinner Moeen Ali crowned his excellent series by taking five wickets as England beat South Africa by 177 runs in the fourth Test in Manchester on Monday to secure a 3-1 series victory.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list IPL 2020's 50 Most Valuable Players up to Game 34.
South Africa bowled poorly in the first hour, but still managed to reduce the visitors to 54 for three as Sri Lanka gave their wickets away with injudicious stroke-play.
The visitors won the first two matches of the series in Durban and Centurion by six and nine wickets, respectively, dismantling the home side with consummate ease.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) general manager Col HS Manhas said all precautions are being taken by the medical teams amid the coronavirus scare.
'I made no demands neither did I try to force myself into WC squad'
