Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana, left, and captain Dasun Shanaka (AP Photo)

Dark clouds have loomed over Kandy this week, with rain sweeping across the Hanthana mountain range and keeping the covers on at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!More showers are expected on Sunday, threatening to intrude on this T20 World Cup Super 8 contest between Sri Lanka and England. If the weather relents, a duel of spin could define the clash.England return to familiar territory after brushing aside Sri Lanka 3-0 in a T20I series here earlier this month. That success provides reassurance, especially after a stuttering group-stage campaign in which they edged Nepal by four runs, lost to West Indies by 30, then beat Scotland by five wickets and Italy by 24 runs.

England captain Harry Brook conceded that his team were “too careful with the bat” in the group stage. “We’ve been too careful with the bat. We can probably be a bit more brave in certain situations and have more faith in the guys behind us to be able to put up a decent score,” he said, adding, “We probably underestimated a few of the teams and they put up a really good fight. Thankfully, we are in the Super 8s.”Sri Lanka’s journey has followed a similar arc of promise and pause. Comfortable wins over Ireland and Oman set the tone and a chase of 182 against Australia at this venue showcased their credentials. Yet, a stumble against Zimbabwe in Colombo has stalled their momentum.

For the co-hosts, much rests on opener Pathum Nissanka, who struck an unbeaten 52-ball century against Australia. With 199 runs in the group stage, he sits among the leading scorers. Brook reckoned Nissanka’s form will be a threat and said England have plans to remove him early. Kusal Mendis, with three half-centuries in four innings, adds gravitas at the top of the order.However, the absence of pacer Matheesha Pathirana, ruled out for the remainder of the competition, has dented their bowling resources. Maheesh Theekshana’s six wickets, meanwhile, underline his importance.With the ball, legspinner Adil Rashid remains vital to England’s plans, supported by Jofra Archer’s pace. Rashid has six wickets in the tournament, including 2/16 against West Indies, highlighting his threat on surfaces that grip. Asked if Jacob Bethell is fit to bowl, Brook said: “Not sure yet, he’s got a decent cut in his finger. If there’s some way we can get around that, then we’d bowl him.”

Nasa is preparing to roll back the Artemis II rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman said. This comes after engineers detected an interruption in helium flow within the Space Launch System’s (SLS) Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS).The fault detected would almost certainly rule out the March launch window. Announcing the postponement of plan on X, Isaacman said, “After overnight data showed an interruption in helium flow in the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage, teams are troubleshooting and preparing for a likely rollback of Artemis II to the VAB at Nasa Kennedy. This will almost assuredly impact the March launch window. Nasa will continue to provide updates as they become available.”The issue emerged during routine operations on Tuesday evening, prompting troubleshooting efforts and a decision to begin rollback preparations while a more detailed assessment is conducted.In an update, Nasa said teams were unable to establish helium flow through the vehicle during a standard repressurisation procedure. The Artemis II rocket has since been placed in a safe configuration, with the engines now being purged using the ground-based environmental control system rather than the onboard helium supply.On Saturday, Nasa had announced the pending completion of Artemis II and had said that the project was set for March 6 before the glitch stalled the mission.It said, “We are targeting no earlier than March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, pending completion of required work at the launch pad and analysis of test data. The Artemis astronauts have entered quarantine to remain in good health before the mission.

What is ICPS?

The ICPS helium bottles play a critical role in purging the engines and pressurising the liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) tanks. Nasa confirmed that these systems functioned correctly during previous Wet Dress Rehearsals (WDR1 and WDR2), but the latest attempt revealed a failure signature similar to one observed during Artemis I.

Engineers probe possible causes

Engineers are now investigating several potential causes. These include a possible issue with the final filter between the ground systems and the flight vehicle, located on the umbilical — though this is considered less likely based on current data. Other possibilities include a malfunction in the quick-disconnect (QD) umbilical interface, which has been observed before, or a failed onboard check valve, which would mirror the fault seen on Artemis I. Nasa had implemented corrective measures following that mission to prevent a recurrence.Regardless of the root cause, agency officials said access and remediation can only be carried out inside the VAB, necessitating the rollback. A more extensive technical briefing outlining the path forward for Artemis II and subsequent missions is expected later this week.

Setback revives Apollo-era parallels

The setback has disappointed space enthusiasts and agency staff alike. Nasa acknowledged that expectations are high given the programme’s cost and timeline, but emphasised that setbacks are not uncommon in complex spaceflight operations. The agency drew parallels with the Apollo era, noting that Neil Armstrong’s Gemini 8 mission ended prematurely after less than 11 hours in space due to a technical fault, just three years before he became the first person to walk on the Moon.Artemis II is intended to be the first crewed mission of Nasa’s Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish a sustained human presence. Officials reiterated that while initial flight rates and architecture may evolve, the long-term ambition remains to build a lunar base and conduct continuous missions to and from the Moon.Nasa said further updates will be provided as engineers complete their assessment and define the recovery timeline.

VASAI: A 31-year-old man was brutally murdered late on Friday night in Nalasopara West. The Nalasopara cops have registered a case of murder and have named 5 in the FIR along with 4 to 5 unknown people. Sources have confirmed that the cops have arrested 1 while teams have been formed to trace the remaining. The victim has been identified as Shubham Mishra and is said to be known to the accused. The killing, allegedly stemming from an old rivalry, was carried out in a brazen manner on a public road, triggering panic in the area.According to police, the chain of events began around 9:30 pm at a bar in the Gala Nagar area of Nalasopara East, where Mishra was with Roshan Singh and other two. This is when an argument reportedly broke out between Mishra and Roshan Singh over a previous dispute. This is where Roshan threatened Mishra and also mentioned that he (Mishra) had filed a case against him (Roshan). After this, they made plans to go to meet an acquaintance in Nalasopara west. The accused stopped the auto under some pretext once they reached a junction and attacked Mishra when he also stepped out. Sources have also confirmed that Roshan had also called in for more people at that spot to attack Mishra, making this a premeditated attack. At around 11:30 pm, when the streets had grown relatively deserted, Jagan Mehndi, Sunil Malusare and Suraj Singh and four to five associates reportedly arrived on motorcycles. Here, they stabbed and murdered Mishra by bludgeoning him with a stone. He sustained severe injuries and heavy bleeding, and was died on the spot.Mishra was first stabbed in the thigh and hip and was smashed by stone once he fell down. Officers from the Nalasopara Police Station rushed to the spot upon receiving information about the incident and sent the body for post-mortem examination.The cops have registered an FIR against Roshan Singh, Jagan Mehndi, Sunil Malusare, Suraj Singh, Tinkle Mishra and four to five others under relevant sections of Murder, the Maharashtra Police Act and the Arms Act.As of the time of reporting, one accused has been arrested, while others remain absconding. Police teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, and further investigation is underway.

Rajpal Yadav is currently out on interim bail in a Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case. The actor secured bail recently to attend his niece’s wedding in Shahjahanpur. Meanwhile, the next hearing is set for March 18. After the HC granted him bail, the actor expressed his gratitude towards his wife, Radha Yadav, for being his support system in the tough phase. Let’s take a look at what he has to say.

Rajpal Yadav expresses gratitude towards his wife Radha

While talking about his wife, Radha Yadav, News18 Showsha quoted Rajpal Yadav saying, “Even if I take birth multiple times, I won’t be able to repay her debt (or the favor she has done for me). She has held the entire family together and supported me through everything.”

The ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ actor further added that since the matter is sub judice, he would not be able to talk about it with the media. He said, “Soon, along with my legal team, I will present my full side with all evidence and facts in front of the media.”

More about his cheque bounce case

As per the reports, Rajpal Yadav borrowed a loan of Rs 5 crore from Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to back his directorial debut, ‘Ata Pata Laapata’. He accrued losses as the film didn’t work at the box office. As a result, he failed to repay the loan on time. The interest piled up, and the cheques that were issued bounced multiple times. In February 2026, the court ordered the actor to surrender himself at the Tihar jail for non-repayment and dishonoring the court’s orders several times.The actor received support from several celebs from the industry after news of him surrendering at the jail surfaced on the internet.

Upcoming projects

The actor is set to star in Priyadarshan’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’, starring Akshay Kumar in the lead. Apart from that, he will also feature in ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, the multi-starrer directed by Ahmed Khan. He also has another Priyadarshan film, co-starring Pankaj Tripathi.

The excitement is building at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 for what promises to be a blockbuster  Super 8 clash as unbeaten India lock horns with a confident South African side at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With both teams carrying flawless records into this crucial phase, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Adding extra spice to the contest is the memory of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where the two sides last met on the biggest stage. That rivalry now reignites, and fans can expect another intense, high-quality battle between two heavyweights of the format.

India head into the game brimming with confidence after four straight wins in the group stage. However, the team management faces a tricky selection call. The debate between Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh continues, but given Ahmedabad’s tendency to assist seamers early on, Arshdeep is likely to keep his spot. There’s also good news for the home crowd, as Axar Patel is expected to return at his home venue, adding balance with both bat and ball.

South Africa, meanwhile, look settled and dangerous. After resting a few key players in their previous outing against UAE, they are set to bring back their strongest combination. David Miller’s firepower, Marco Jansen’s all-round impact and Keshav Maharaj’s control with spin will strengthen their XI significantly.

IND vs SA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: February 22; 7:00 am IST / 1:30 pm GMT
• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

IND vs SA, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 35 | India won: 21 | South Africa won: 13 | No result: 01

Narendra Modi Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is likely to offer a good balance between bat and ball, though it has traditionally favoured the batters. Over the years, this venue has been known for producing high-scoring T20 contests, and during the 2026 World Cup, teams batting first have regularly pushed past the 175-run mark.

Fast bowlers could get some early movement and bounce with the new ball, making the first few overs crucial. As the game progresses and the surface begins to slow, spinners are expected to come into play, finding more grip and turn in the middle overs.

With an evening start on the cards, dew could play a major role. It may make gripping the ball difficult for bowlers in the second innings, which is why the captain winning the toss might prefer to chase.

Squads

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – Harbhajan Singh predicts Team India’s playing XI for Super 8 clash against South Africa

IND vs SA, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• India wins the toss and bowls first
• South Africa’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• South Africa’s total score: 180-190

Case 2:

• South Africa wins the toss and bowls first
• India’s powerplay score: 60-70 (6 overs)
• India’s total score: 200-210

Match result: Team batting second to win the contest.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – Fans react as rain ends Super 8 contest between Pakistan and New Zealand before it begins in Colombo

Shivam Dube, left, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya (AP Photo)

AHMEDABAD: The T20 World Cup has entered the Super 8 stage. The tournament, designed to soothe commercial nerves by pre-seeding teams, has lost some of its organic charm along the way. The finalists from the last edition, India and South Africa, have reached Ahmedabad for a fresh bout. Unlike second rounds of World Cups in other sports, they have had the luxury of planning for this day, at this venue, since the ICC released the fixtures in late Nov. All they had to do was avoid an upset against Associate and lower-ranked teams in the first fortnight of the tournament. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Now that both sides have had at least one scare in the group stage, they will turn up on Sunday evening in front of a packed crowd with little room for excuses and an unforgiving weight of expectations. The tournament is in its ‘no let-up zone’. “If I am in that situation (to decide tournament fixtures), I will definitely try and tweak it,” was India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s honest confession on the teams being pre-seeded. The financial scars from the ODI World Cups in 2003 and 2007 still haunt the caretakers of the sport. In trying to guard against that, the format has reduced the element of surprise in a global event.

The familiarity factor Familiarity with conditions and opponents will be the last of the concerns in either camp, having played each other India barely a couple of months ago. South Africa, for instance, come into this match having already played three matches at this venue with another to go after Sunday. “I think almost all the players have played N number of games in Ahmedabad. Even the Indian team has played a lot of games here. It’s going to be a good 50-50 competition,” Surya stated on match eve. But he was also prompt to mention that the overseas players’ exposure to franchise has anyway negated that home advantage to a great extent. “We know what teams we are playing. And we also had a good number of days in between previous games. So, we got good time to prepare for every team,” Surya highlighted the benefits of being pre-seeded. South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock suggested this familiarity could be a double-edged sword. “That’s what’s going to make for quite a good game tomorrow because we’ve played against each other quite a bit over the last two months. And to be honest the teams haven’t really changed much. We’ve played against each other a lot in the IPL. So, it’s just a matter of being out there, who crumbles under pressure first,” De Kock claimed.Treading cautiously Surya, since the beginning of the campaign, has never denied the pressure of playing a World Cup at home, let alone defending the title. For once, since becoming India’s T20I captain, he eschewed his characteristic quips in media briefings on Saturday evening. “I never said we don’t have any fear. I only said that we are not worried about anything,” he firmly corrected the media. He didn’t deny whispers about the law of averages catching up with India’s rampaging run in ICC white-ball tournaments in the last two years. Neither did he downplay the fact that the collapse against USA at the top of the tournament had shaken the core strategy of the team. That jailbreak in Mumbai grounded Surya’s high-flying bunch of T20 hitmen. “Since that USA game, we have not been thinking too much about how we plan to start our Super 8 campaign. We started thinking more about the next day, taking one step at a time. There will be pressure. If there is no pressure, there won’t be any fun in playing this game,” Surya stated. The black soil pitch South Africa deflated Indian cricket’s ego, sweeping the two-Test series in India in Nov. They bare open India’s fragility against the turning ball, which has interestingly continued to dominate discussions even during this World Cup. De Kock was blunt in mentioning that he has seen no turn at this venue in the three previous games. On Sunday, the curators will roll out the 22-yard surface made of black soil. The red-soil pitches have stayed under the lush green layer of grass. TOI understands that the team had identified that playing on a red-soil pitch, which usually offers better bounce than a black-soil pitch, in the second Test in Guwahati worked in favour of the South Africans. The murmurs suggested that the SENA teams are much more comfortable with greater bounce even if the pitch took turn or played slow. The Indian team has practiced on black soil pitches at the centre square here for two days. Surya has entered the most crucial week of his captaincy career. The preparations could not have been any better. Now, as De Kock said, it’s down to who blinks first!

Footage circulating online shows the aftermath of Pakistani air strikes on a religious madrassa in eastern Afghanistan, with rescuers digging through rubble and families searching for loved ones. Afghan sources told TOLOnews that the seminary in Barmal district of Paktika province was among the sites hit overnight. Local officials say more than 20 people were killed in the strikes that targeted seven sites across Afghanistan.The strikes, which began late on Saturday, reportedly targeted areas in Barmal and Urgun districts of Paktika, as well as Khogyani, Behsud and Ghani Khel districts in Nangarhar province. An AFP journalist in Behsud described residents using a bulldozer to clear debris as bodies were pulled from collapsed buildings. An Afghan security source said at least 17 people died when a house was struck, including 12 children and teenagers.

Islamabad confirmed it had carried out what it called “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven militant camps along the border. In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the action targeted hideouts belonging to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Fitna al Khwarij, and affiliates of Islamic State Khorasan Province.The Pakistani government said the strikes were a response to recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan, including an attack on a Shiite mosque in Islamabad that killed dozens and assaults in Bajaur and Bannu. Hours before the cross-border operation, a suicide bomber killed two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan had “conclusive evidence” that the attacks were carried out by militants operating from Afghan soil. He added that Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Taliban authorities to prevent armed groups from using their territory to launch attacks.Kabul condemned the air strikes, with Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accusing Pakistani generals of attempting to deflect from their own security failures. The Afghan government has denied harbouring militant groups.Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated sharply since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with border clashes in October leaving scores dead. A ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey reduced fighting, but tensions remain high as both sides trade blame over escalating violence.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) claimed that the administration is sending a “hospital boat” to Greenland. He further added that it is on its way to assist people who are “sick” and allegedly not receiving adequate care. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote, “Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!”. This post was accompanied by an image depicting the USNS Mercy, a well-known naval hospital vessel. The humanitarian initiative follows the President’s December decision to appoint Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the Arctic territory. The effort is being coordinated in partnership with Landry to tackle medical challenges in the region.

Louisiana governor Jeff Landry also reacted on X, thanking the President and saying he is “proud to work” alongside him on “this important issue.” However, the exact nature of the health emergency and the mission’s specific goals remain unclear. Last month, Trump announced that he had “formed the framework of a future deal” related to Greenland during talks with the head of Nato. Trump has repeatedly highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance to Washington, even describing the Arctic island as an asset the United States could buy. This prompted Denmark to reaffirm its legal sovereignty over Greenland.

Back in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump again pressed for American control of the territory. Addressing business and political leaders, he said “no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland, other than the United States”, while accusing Nato allies of failing to meet their obligations. Meanwhile, officials in Greenland and Denmark have maintained that the territory is not for sale. However, a senior White House official said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been tasked with preparing a proposal in the coming weeks to purchase Greenland, describing the effort as a “high priority” for Trump.The US President’s statement came after a series of sharp developments involving Trump’s trade and foreign policy positions. A day earlier, he raised the global tariff he announced from 10% to 15%. This follows a landmark ruling by the US Supreme Court, which found his tariff actions illegal and questioned his authority to impose sweeping import duties without congressional approval.

England white-ball captain Harry Brook said it would be “a shame” if players from Pakistan are not picked in The Hundred, amid reports that some teams with Indian ownership may avoid signing them.A BBC report has suggested that Indian-owned franchises — Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds — could refrain from selecting Pakistan players at the auction because of concerns about political backlash in India amid tensions between the two countries.

“Our main focus now is what’s coming up in the T20 World Cup. It’s not really any of our business, to be honest,” Brook, who has been signed by Sunrisers Leeds, said before England’s Super 8 match against Sri Lanka.“But what I would say is Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years. I think there’s about 50, 60 players in the auction, and it would be a shame to not see some of them in there.”A total of 67 male and female cricketers from Pakistan, including most of the men’s T20 World Cup squad, have registered for The Hundred auction, which will be held in London.Several Pakistan players — Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf — have previously played in The Hundred.Pakistan players have not been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009, following diplomatic tensions after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Four of the eight The Hundred franchises — Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds — are now partly owned by companies that control IPL teams.Former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Friday that the England and Wales Cricket Board “need to act fast” because excluding players based on nationality “should not be allowed to happen”.Pakistan players have also not featured in SA20, which began in 2023, with all six teams owned by IPL franchise groups — including the four now involved in The Hundred.In the ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates, franchises linked to the owners of MI London and Southern Brave have not signed a Pakistan player across four seasons, though they have recruited players from 15 other countries. By contrast, Desert Vipers, which is American-owned, has signed eight Pakistan players over the same period.“There’s some amazing cricketers and, yeah, and they bring some great crowds as well. So it would be a shame to not see some of the Pakistan players in there and make the tournament and competition even better,” Brook added.The next season of The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16, while the player auctions are scheduled for March 11 and 12.

The India National Cricket Team is all set to make a bold move ahead of their Super 8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa on Sunday (February 22) in Ahmedabad.

Sanju Samson likely to replace Tilak Varma for South Africa game

As reported by a Revsportz journalist, Rohit Sharma, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is likely to get a chance in the playing XI, replacing Tilak Varma. India’s practice session at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad dropped this massive hint.

During the main practice at the center wicket, every Indian batter, including Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Akshar Patel, and Shivam Dubey, took part in full batting drills. The only exception was Tilak Varma, who was seen practicing at the back nets with off-spin bowling, away from the main wicket.

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Read Also: Suryakumar Yadav gives update on Sanju Samson, addresses criticism over Tilak Varma’s sluggish batting

This was a clear hint that the Indian cricket team management is thinking of preferring Sanju Samson for the high-pressure Super 8 match against South Africa. Samson impressed in the nets, spending more than an hour batting against fast bowling with excellent confidence and body language.

Sanju Samson impresses in practice

The journalist shared that the Kerala star was seen carefully batting against spinners, as Hardik Pandya and Akshar Patel would handle the spin attacks later in the innings. He was also involved in lengthy discussion with the support staff, including batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.

In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Tilak Varma has scored 106 runs in four group-stage matches, but his strike rate of 120.45 has raised some concerns, as it is much lower than his career T20 strike rate of 141.80. Since the tournament enters a crucial phase, India is expected to make some bold moves.

However, the final playing XI is expected to be confirmed after another practice session in Ahmedabad, but the signs point to Samson replacing Tilak Varma for the South Africa clash. Apart from this change, either Akshar Patel or Washington Sundar will make the cut to the side in the Super 8.

Read Also: Abhishek Sharma’s mindset shines amid struggles

Kuldeep Yadav set to return for South Africa Super 8 clash

Meanwhile, the wrist-spin could be the key weapon for India in Ahmedabad. Washington Sundar was tight in the group stage, but the Ahmedabad pitch is perfect for wrist-spinners who can make the ball bounce and turn sharply, paving the way for Kuldeep Yadav’s return.

Kuldeep will bring his experience and wicket-taking ability back into the mix. Alongside him, Varun Chakravarthy, India’s leading wicket-taker so far in the tournament with 9 wickets from four group matches, is ready to make life difficult for South Africa’s middle order.

The Proteas batters, like Aiden Markram and David Miller, have a history of struggling against quality wrist-spin in the past. So, Kuldeep and Varun could play a huge role in controlling the runs and breaking partnerships early on a fast-scoring ground like Ahmedabad.

However, neither Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir nor captain Suryakumar Yadav slipped any hint about the playing XI for the crucial Super 8 match against the Proteas side on Sunday in Ahmedabad.