With India and South Africa splitting a pair of T20 International subject matches in September, the two countries will get the chance to face off plenty more in October. Beginning Tuesday, India will play three Test matches versus its South African counterparts that will last into the middle of the month, and even though India leads the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship standings after two matches with an undefeated record and 120 points, South Africa’s squad can’t be discounted.
After all, South Africa scored a victory vs. India in the final match of their T20 competition, and exciting Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of all the contests with a back injury, seemingly giving the South Africans a better chance to pull off the upset.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch India vs. South Africa in cricket.
India vs. South Africa
- When: Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 11pm CT
- Where: Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium Visakhapatnam, India
- Streaming: ESPN+
India vs. South Africa live stream: How to watch Cricket online
1) ESPN+
- Cost: $4.99 per month or $49.99 for 12 months
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India vs. South Africa: Why it matters
Much of the news surrounding the Indian squad is the loss of Bumrah, who was called “the wrecker-in-chief for India” by Money Control after he tallied 13 wickets in two Tests against the West Indies in August. Bumarah has been so successful that he became the fastest bowler for India to take 50 wickets in Test competition (he did it in 11 matches, compared to the previous record of 13).
But after undergoing a routine radiological screening on Tuesday, it was revealed the 25-year-old Bumrah—who was called the”most complete bowler in the world” by Indian captain Virat Kohli—has suffered a minor stress fracture in his back.
Injuries are part & parcel of the sport. Thank you for all your recovery wishes. My head is held high & I am aiming for a comeback that’s stronger than the setback.🦁 pic.twitter.com/E0JG1COHrz
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) September 25, 2019
“It’s very minor but nobody wants to take any risks with Jasprit,” a source told the Times of India. “There’s stress in the lower back region and it’s important to monitor it closely in order to assess future repercussions. That’s the reason he has been given a break. Timely breaks keep the body well-rested. Cricketers play all year round and it’s constant hard work, given all the onus on fitness and the different formats they have to play in. A break will do him good and protect him better.”
But it might open a chance for South Africa to strike, particularly since it’s coming off a surprising victory vs. India.
“It is a good feeling to see everything coming together, from a captain’s point of view and from the team’s point of view,” South African captain Quinton de Kock said, via India Today. “It is nice to see that hard work pays off.”
Still, India remains a -225 betting favorite according to BetOnline, meaning you’d have to wager $225 to win $100—South Africa, meanwhile, is a +450 underdog, which means you’d earn $450 on a $100 bet.
The first Test between these two squads will run through Oct. 6 to be followed by the second Test from Oct. 9-14 in Pune, India and the third from Oct. 18-23 in Ranchi, India.
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