Kingsmead Pitch report ahead of India Tour of South Africa

While it is the red-ball cricketing season, the India Cricket Team will take a brief detour to South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav and his boys will take on the Proteas in a 4-match T20I series. While Team India currently focuses on the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy, this white ball series is of importance to the team.

India’s next big tournament after the BGT will be the ICC Champions Trophy. Though it will be in the ODI format, playing T20Is and preparing for the same will be something that India will be keen to focus on. And ahead of the IND vs SA 1st T20I, the Kingsmead pitch holds a major significance to this game.

Stadium Overview

Kingsmead in Durban will be the first stop of this India vs South Africa T20I series. The Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium is in Durban had boasts of having a 25,000 seating capacity. As far as the legacy goes, Kingsmead is one of the most prominent Stadiums in South Africa.

This Stadium went on to host its first-ever Test match way back in 1923 when the Proteas played against England. Interestingly, back in 2007, this was the iconic ground where Yuvraj Singh went on to cobble 6 consecutive sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad.

Pitch Report IND vs SA

The Kingsmead Stadium pitch in Durban is notoriously known to assist the seamers. And the same can be expected for the IND vs SA 1st T20I game. The pace and bouncy conditions on the pitch offer little to the batters. As a result, the average first innings score at this pitch is 136.

However, with the ever-changing day, batters have been able to score big runs in T20Is even when the pitches have been at a disadvantage. The last match on this pitch saw Australia chase down 191 runs to win the game. Furthermore, a hint of rain in the air, in the early stage can offer a bit of swing.

Both teams will be tempted to make the best of the conditions. India and South Africa will mull over the possibility of using at least 3 pacers in the game.

Total Matches	22
Matches won batting first	11
Matches won bowling first	9
Average 1st innings Score	153
Average 2nd innings Score	135
Highest total recorded	226/6 (20 Ovs) By AUS vs RSA
Lowest total recorded	73/10 (16.5 Ovs) By KEN vs NZ
Highest score chased	191/5 (17.5 Ovs) By AUS vs RSA
Lowest score defended	125/6 (20 Ovs) By RSAW vs WIW

Weather Influence

There is a hint of rain in Durban for the IND vs SA 1st T20I. Overnight rain, coupled with cloudy conditions and humidity of the air. There is a hint of rain towards the latter of the game which can see rain playing spoilsport.

77% humidity sees the game bein influenced by the weather. The weather would be on the colder side given the rain in the air.

Conclusion