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India plays South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav will determine the outcome

Fourth Pitch No. That is the 22 yards of land where South Africa and India will square off on Saturday morning at the Kensington Oval in an attempt to win the T20 World Cup.

This tournament has seen the strip used twice before, but not since June 4, when England’s group match versus Scotland was postponed due to inclement weather. The game had to be abandoned after the Scots amassed 90 runs without losing in a match that was shortened to 10 overs each side. In the previous match, Namibia and Oman were tied at 109, which was too much for the Namibians to overcome until the Super Over intervened.

Since the England vs. Scotland match was over three weeks ago, the ground crew had ample opportunity to produce a strip befitting of the event. The playing deck has been the subject of intense scrutiny across nations in this tournament, but ultimately, both teams play on the same 22 yards, so there is a certain amount of parity. However, in the semifinals, South Africa’s pacers found greater success on the Tarouba pitch than Afghanistan’s, and India’s spinners found great success against the crease-tied Englishmen on the Providence surface.

This is an experienced team that understands the subtleties of 20-over cricket but is also adept at adopting contemporary styles, even if a number of its players are beyond thirty.

It is impossible to overstate the value of having serenity in decision-making during stressful games, when players are prone to acting strangely.

Given that South Africa has never done this before, India has a clear advantage in that area. This is their first time participating in a men’s World Cup final, despite having returned to international cricket thirty-two and a half years ago. It will be shocking if they don’t experience the jitters and leaden feet that come with a chance to make history.

Where is India going to win this game? Certainly on the field, but also in the head, in the space between the ears. Both in this competition and the 50-over World Cup, they have demonstrated exceptional skill at grasping opportunities, creating or identifying gaps, and moving in mercilessly to finish the game.

Few teams/batters have had the guts to go on Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh has no qualms in admitting that his presence and pressure at the other end have contributed to some of his wickets. Bumrah is undoubtedly the best player among the 22 talented athletes who will take the field on Saturday. Protean brains will undoubtedly be subjected to the harshest examination as a result of the overs he bowls and the awareness that those overs will come at the end. The way India takes advantage of this uncertainty could be crucial.

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South Africa has struggled with left-arm wrist spin, which emphasizes Kuldeep’s role even with Tabraiz Shamsi. Kuldeep’s middle-overs match against IPL veteran David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, a superb spin destroyer, will be a pivotal moment in the game. Given how expertly he has been able to drift the ball away from the right-hander and break it back on him, one must support Kuldeep to resurrect his magic of the previous four matches based on form and class.

With all of India’s batting prowess, Bumrah’s right hand and Kuldeep’s left hold the key to victory. Without a question.