It's game day between SA and the West Indies.
Image: Independent Media Sport
South Africa and the West Indies played the very first T20 World Cup fixture at the Bullring almost two decades ago. The two sides meet again on Thursday, this time in Ahmedabad and in the tournament’s 10th edition.
Here, Ongama Gcwabe, picks five battles to keep an eye on during the contest.
This will be the battle of the masterminds behind the two teams' unbeaten runs in the tournament. Which coach will prevail, Conrad's familiarity with the conditions in Ahmedabad or Sammy's experience as the only two-time T20 World Cup winning captain?
Conrad recently had the better of Sammy and his team, beating them 2-1 in a three-match series here at home before travelling to India. However, Sammy has walked the talk in T20 World Cups as a player, and he will back himself to deliver as a coach as well.
Motie's mystery spin looks unplayable at times, and the Zimbabwe batters would attest, as they were caught deep in his web the other day. However, Miller is hot at the moment and will be backing himself to put Motie away.
Motie is in form, having returned 4/28 and 2/24 in his last two matches, while Miller took India's spinner Varun Chakravarthy to all parts of the ground with over 90 000 in attendance last week.
It will not only be a battle of skill, but also that of mental fortitude.
Is there a better new-ball bowler in the current tournament than Jansen? He’s got plenty of pace, skills and control with the new ball. Hope will have his hands full at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
Jansen has back-to-back four-wicket hauls, an impressive feat for a quick that bowls in the first power play. Hope has two half-centuries in the tournament thus far, despite slipping to 14 in his last outing.
At three, Rickelton is a dangerous batter for any bowling attack in the world. Windies' Joseph will have to deal with an in-form lefty, looking to put him away every delivery.
Shamara went wicketless against Zimbabwe and was costly as he conceded 35 in three overs. However, the fast bowler has a big heart and an appetite for big matches.
On the other hand, following his only single-digit score in the tournament in his last outing, Rickelton will be hungry to go out and perform.
Kagiso Rabada of South Africa. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Rabada is due for a performance in the ongoing World Cup. His run of bad luck is also due to run out. There’s no better time for the puzzle to fall into place than against Windies’ big fish, Hetmyer.
Hetmyer is fresh from a 34-ball 85 in his last outing, where he smashed seven maximums and as many fours, in helping West Indies to 254/6, the second-highest total in T20 World Cups.
The contest between the two teams is scheduled to start at 11.30am.
Ongama Gcwabe is a prominent sports journalist. Writing for Independent Media as a senior contributor, he is recognised for his expertise in SA cricket.