1st T20: India vs South Africa – Preview

Team India players during a practice session at International Cricket Stadium in Dharamsala on Wednesday ahead of T20 match against S Africa.

Dharamsala: MS Dhoni will be back in action as India take on South Africa in the first T20 to be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. (SEE: India vs South Africa - Full Coverage)

South Africa would want to forget the loss they suffered against India A in the T20 warm up match at Palam A Ground, Model Sports Complex, Delhi.

Led by Faf du Plessis, they have a strong batting unit with world-class batsmen like Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and David Miller in the squad.

In the bowling department, the Proteas don't have many match-winners barring Imran Tahir, who has been predicted as a big threat for the Indian batsmen. In the absence of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, their pace attack isn't much formidable and the likes of Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris and Albie Morkel are expected to fill their massive shoes.

ALSO SEE: South Africa's Team Profile & Squad | India's Team Profile & Squad

The hosts on the other hand would want to make the best use of the home advantage and they look a much more settled unit than the Proteas.

Along with Dhoni, India have in-form batsmen in Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, who are all known to do well on Indian conditions.

The spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra can prove to be the decisive factor between the two teams. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma and Sreenath Aravind, all don't have much pace but are best suited for home conditions.

India's probable playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma

South Africa's probable playing XI: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Farhaan Behardien, Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott