1st T20I: Records that can be scripted in Dharamsala
India and South Africa gear up for the first T20I of the three-match series to be played in Dharamsala on Sunday. Team India will be eyeing a positive result in the series opener at this picturesque stadium. Several individual and team records are in store and we might witness the same getting scripted. Here are the details.
Rohit and Kohli eyeing these records
Rohit Sharma is the leading run-scorer in T20Is (2,422). The 'Hitman' is 78 runs away from being the first batsman to notch 2,500 runs in T20Is. Indian captain Virat Kohli has 2,369 runs and is 53 runs behind Rohit. The 30-year-old can close down on Rohit or even surpass his tally against SA in the first T20I.
Rohit and Kohli to battle it out for this feat
Meanwhile, both premier batsmen are also set to battle for another record. Kohli and Rohit come into the series with the record of most 50-plus scores in T20Is. Rohit has notched up 17 T20I fifties along with four tons. Kohli has 21 half-centuries under his belt. Therefore, one expects to see these two battle it out for another new feat.
Important numbers for Team India ahead of first T20I
India and South Africa have played 13 T20Is. The hosts have a 8-5 advantage in the head-to-head records. India have played eight T20Is in 2019. They have won four and lost four. India will be eyeing their fourth successive win after beating Windies 3-0.
Dhawan in sight of 1,400 runs, India eyeing maiden win
Shikhar Dhawan (1,337 runs) is the fifth highest run-scorer for India in T20Is. He needs 63 runs to get to the 1,400-run mark and be the fifth Indian to do so. The hosts are seeking their first win in Dharamsala. India have played just one T20I in Dharamsala and that match was against SA. The Men in Blue lost that encounter by seven wickets.
Miller aims to surpass Faf du Plessis
David Miller has scored 1,250 runs in T20Is. He needs 52 runs more to surpass the tally of Faf du Plessis (1,301). The southpaw can also be the fourth player from SA to have 1,300-plus runs in T20Is.