New Delhi, Feb 22 – Former South Africa all-rounder Robin Peterson believes that South Africa's familiarity with Ahmedabad will be a crucial factor in their Super Eights clash against India in the Men’s T20 World Cup, to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Peterson highlighted the Proteas’ prior experience in Ahmedabad, particularly during the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup group stage, as a significant advantage. He noted that the familiarity with the venue and playing conditions would give South Africa a psychological edge against India.
“The Proteas have played several matches in Ahmedabad, and they are very comfortable there. This familiarity will be a major advantage for them,” Peterson stated.
He also pointed out that several South African players, including Kagiso Rabada and David Miller, who played for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, have experience playing on similar pitches. This knowledge will help them to understand the conditions and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Peterson emphasized the importance of adaptability for the Proteas. He believes that they need to be able to adjust their bowling and batting strategies based on the conditions.
“South Africa needs to be prepared to use their spin options effectively if the conditions are in their favor,” Peterson added.
Peterson also acknowledged India’s strengths, particularly their aggressive approach and strong batting lineup. He believes that South Africa needs to be wary of this and focus on building pressure on the Indian batsmen.
“India is a very strong team, and South Africa needs to be at their best to beat them,” Peterson concluded.