🚨 MATCH UPDATE: Toss Delayed due to Fog!

Current Status: The toss for the 4th T20I between India and South Africa has been delayed due to heavy fog and low visibility at the Ekana Stadium. Next inspection is now scheduled at 7:30 PM.

Match & Venue Overview

Hello fantasy champs! The T20 series between South Africa and India heads to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

We have received the Live Pitch Report directly from the ground, and conditions look tricky! It is a chilly and foggy wintery evening in Lucknow. The pitch is cold to the touch, and due to the season, it’s difficult to keep moisture out. While the surface is a mixture of red and black soil that generally offers good bounce, the weather conditions suggest the ball will nip around.

This definitely won't be a high-scoring run-fest. The experts predict a par score of around 150-160. There will be significant lateral movement for the pacers early on, and the surface might offer even more help once the dew sets in.

Boundary Dimensions:

Square: 66m
Down the ground: 77m

Pitch Report & Ground Stats

Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Expected Score: 150-160 (Due to cold & foggy conditions)
Pacer Wickets (Last 5 T20s): 42
Spinner Wickets (Last 5 T20s): 14

The numbers and the live report tell a clear story: Pacers are King here. With the moisture in the pitch and the foggy air, fast bowlers will get plenty of swing and seam movement. Spinners might struggle to grip the wet ball if the dew gets heavy, so prioritize seamers who can bowl in the Powerplay and Death overs.

Team India Analysis

🚨 INJURY UPDATE: Axar Patel has been ruled out for the rest of the T20I series due to injury. His absence weakens India’s spin all-round options and opens the door for additional pace or batting depth in the playing XI.

Fantasy Tip: Remove Axar Patel from your teams immediately. Consider alternatives like Shivam Dube (who can bowl medium pace in these swinging conditions) or an extra specialist fast bowler.

Top Picks from India

Hardik Pandya: A default pick for any fantasy team. He's contributed with both bat (79 runs) and ball (2 wickets) this series. On a pitch offering bounce and movement, his bowling will be lethal.
Arshdeep Singh: The live pitch report screams "swing," and that is Arshdeep's biggest weapon. He can exploit the moisture in the air and pitch to pick early wickets.
Varun Chakravarthy: The mystery spinner has been on fire! With 7 wickets in the series and a 100% Dream Team appearance rate, he is a must-have, even if conditions favor pacers.
Tilak Varma: He is India's leading run-scorer in the series with 114 runs. In a low-scoring game, technical batters like him are more valuable than sloggers.

South Africa Analysis

The Proteas have fought hard, and their key players have stepped up. Their pace attack will be licking their lips looking at this "cold to the touch" pitch.

Top Picks from South Africa

Lungi Ngidi: The leading wicket-taker of the series with 6 scalps. On a pitch that assists pacers and offers bounce, he is an absolute must-have and a top C/VC contender.
Marco Jansen: With lateral movement expected, Jansen's left-arm angle and ability to swing the new ball make him a massive threat. He is also a 100% Dream Team player this series.
Aiden Markram: The most consistent batter for South Africa (104 runs). On a tricky track where 150 is par, his ability to anchor the innings is crucial.
Quinton de Kock: While he can be hit-or-miss, he enjoys pace and bounce. However, the moving ball early on makes him a high-risk, high-reward pick.

Top Captain & Vice-Captain Choices

Choosing the right C/VC is crucial on a bowler-friendly ground with heavy fog.

Safe Choices: Hardik Pandya, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen
Grand Contest Picks: Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Aiden Markram

High Reward Differential Picks

Looking for players with low selection percentages to get ahead in big contests? Consider these options:

Ottneil Baartman (25% Selected): He bagged 4 wickets in one match previously. If the ball seams around, his accuracy could be deadly.
Shivam Dube (39% Selected): With Axar out, Dube might get more responsibility. His medium pace could be very effective in these heavy atmospheric conditions.

Live Streaming & Broadcast Details

Live Streaming: JioHotstar
Live Telecast: Official Sports TV Channels

👉 Fantasy players should keep an eye on the toss update! With the delay, the number of overs might be reduced if the fog persists.

SA vs IND T20 Fantasy Cricket Preview: Lucknow's Bowler-Friendly Pitch Awaits!