Right then, the summit clash is nicely poised at the halfway mark.

Keshav Maharaj is in for a chat. He says that he was trying to use the surface and the breeze. Adds that the surface was slow to begin with but has gotten better now. Reckons that the catching and the outfielding was superb. Mentions that the boys are ready to go and hopefully, they can grab it with both hands.

As for South Africa, the move to start with spin from one end paid dividends as Keshav Maharaj struck twice in his opening over. Kagiso Rabada soon got into the act, resulting in the Powerplay belonging to South Africa. In the middle phase, South Africa allowed a partnership to build as through Axar Patel, India counter-punched. Maharaj, Rabada, Shamsi and Nortje bowled well in that middle phase but Marco Jansen was all over the place with his lines and lengths. Neither could Jansen keep the

Anrich Nortje closes the innings out with a wicket but India managed to score 42 runs off the last 3 overs to end up with 176 on the board. Given that they were three down inside the Powerplay, India will take this total. Through Virat Kohli's three boundaries off Marco Jansen, the Men in Blue got going straight away. Though not much went their way in the next 5 overs of the Powerplay, losing 3 wickets. Virat Kohli and Axar Patel then got together to steady the ship. Sent into to take the spin

Anrich Nortje to Ravindra Jadeja, ! CAUGHT! Anrich Nortje finishes off a more than decent final over and manages to keep India under 180 runs. Nortje steams in and serves a quick bumper over the off stump. Ravindra Jadeja looks to take it on but is rushed into the shot and ends up scoffing it off the top edge. The ball falls well in front of mid off but Keshav Maharaj from extra cover races to the ball and dives in to complete the catch. India finish with 176/7 on the board!

Anrich Nortje to Ravindra Jadeja, Short of a length and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja reaches out and slashes it up and over backward point for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja walks in with 2 balls left in the Indian innings.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, ! c David Miller b Anrich Nortje.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, ! That went like a tracer bullet!

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Top-drawer stuff from Anrich Nortje. Nails the yorker on middle stump, Hardik Pandya can only manage to dig it to mid off for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, Heaved away into the leg side but just for a single. Pitched up on middle and leg stump, Shivam Dube clears the front leg and whips it without much timing to the left of deep mid-wicket for one.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Wayward to begin with from Anrich Nortje.Full and wide but gets it a bit too wide of the tramline and it is left alone for a wide.

Anrich Nortje will bowl the last over. He has conceded just 17 runs from his 3 overs. 33 runs have come off the last 2 overs for India. Can Nortje keep India under 180?

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Four!

Hardik Pandya comes out at number 7.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and some respite for Marco Jansen as he does get the prized wicket. Jansen uses his height well and bowls it just short of a length over the stumps, Virat Kohli looks to take on the pull but gets it well high on the bat and the ball goes straight down the throat of Kagiso Rabada at long on and he makes no mistake. End of a fine knock from Kohli and he gets a standing ovation from the dugout.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! Glorious from Virat Kohli and what a knock this is turning out to be. Length ball, right in the slot around off and middle stump, Kohli clears the front leg and smokes the ball is epic fashion over cow corner or a monster hit. New ball, please!

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Four!

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Really well bowled! A slower one, into the pitch and it is the cutter that goes away from the right-hander. Virat Kohli looks to fetch and pull but is beaten all ends up.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, An appeal for caught behind but instead, Kagiso Rabada has overstepped, drama out in the middle.

Marco Jansen is up in appeal for caught behind as is Quinton de Kock. Both think they have heard something and Aiden Markram takes the review.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Much better finish to the over from Kagiso Rabada but India still get 16 off it. Full and straight in the blockhole, Virat Kohli hangs back and jams the ball down to long on for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Oh, that has slipped right out of Rabada's hand! Goes for the wide yorker but ends up serving a juicy full toss almost beyond the cut strip outside the off stump, Dube leaves it alone for a wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Short of a length and angled in at the hips, Virat Kohli tucks it away off the pads through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Excellent running! Spears in a yorker at the toes, Virat Kohli hangs well deep in the crease and squeezes the ball away in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, ! Relentless from King Kohli now.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, ! Virat Kohli is in the zone now! Hard length on off and middle stump, Kohli stays put and just clears the front leg before whacking the ball away nonchalantly and a long way over long on for a biggie

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, ! Slammed away by Shivam Dube! Short of a length and offering some width outside the off stump, Dube backs away and cuts the ball powerfully and well behind point for a boundary.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, FIFTY up for Virat Kohli!

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, Dug into the deck and over the stumps, Shivam Dube flat bats it with an open stance and right back past the bowler for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Gets the yorker in, around off, at 147 kph, Virat Kohli jams it out off the toe end of the bat towards backward point.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Pushed through flatter on off stump, Shivam Dube rocks back and forces the ball down to long off for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Four!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Flatter one around off stump, dabbed away off the outside edge of the bat to short third for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Beauty! Tossed up on a nagging length and on off stump, the ball grips and turns away sharply with some extra bounce. Shivam Dube is beaten all ends up.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Takes a bit of pace off the ball and dugs it in around the leg stump line, Virat Kohli advances down the pitch and whips the pull away over mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, Too full, looking to spear it in at the toes, Shivam Dube backs away a bit and hits the low full toss to deep mid-wicket for a run more.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Marco Jansen goes into the pitch and angles it well across the off stump, Virat Kohli tries to fetch and pull but gets it off the toe end of the bat in front of mid-wicket for no run.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, A well-directed short ball, right at the helmet of the batter, Virat Kohli manages to get inside the ball and hooks it down to fine leg for a single.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, ! Launched down the ground!

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, ! run out (Quinton de Kock).

Who comes out now?

Oh, what happened there?

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Rabada digs it in short as he sees Kohli charge down the track. It goes way over the batter's head for a wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Rabada compensates by dragging his length and bowls it outside off, Axar Patel waits back in his crease and pats it to the left of point for a single. 7 runs off the first 2 balls of the over.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, ! Clean as a whistle! 100 up for India in style! Rabada comes from around the wicket and tries to target the stumps. Gets the line wrong and serves it right in the slot. Axar Patel clears the front leg and with a still head, launches it over long on for a biggie.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Nortje goes into the deck, over middle, Axar Patel hops back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single to end the over.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Beaten! Angling across the batter, on a short of a good length, too close for Axar Patel to play the cut and he gets beaten on the outside edge.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, WIDE! Nortje is lucky to get away with it!

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Slower and fuller by Nortje, outside off, Virat Kohli cracks the drive through covers and rotates the strike.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, In and around the off pole, on a hard length, Virat Kohli gets on his toes and guides it to backward point.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Nortje pitches it up, full and on the pads, Virat Kohli flicks it away off his pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Aerial but safe!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Six!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Drops it short and it is around the pads, Virat Kohli works it around the corner and gets to the other end.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Oh, that was risky! Lopped by Shamsi, on middle, Axar Patel crouches to nail the slog sweep but gets an inside edge back onto the pads and the ball rolls away on the leg side for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, A bit too straight by Shamsi, full and on the pads, Virat Kohli works it with the turn behind square on the leg side for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Shamsi floats it up, full and turning in, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli gets a good stride in and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Jansen varies his length now as he goes short and at the left shoulder of the batter. The ball hurries Virat Kohli again and gets big on him too. Kohli goes for the pull but gloves it along the ground to backward square leg for just a single.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Wide!

Marco Jansen to Axar Patel, Jansen brings the surface into play again as he bangs it in but takes all the pace off, on off and middle, Axar Patel waits on it and guides it down to deep third for a single.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Bends his back and digs it in short does Jansen, at the batter, Virat Kohli gets rushed in the pull shot and gets high on the bat as he swivels for the pull. Splices the pull in front of deep square leg for a run.

Marco Jansen to Axar Patel, Slanting into the southpaw, on a back of a length, on off, Axar Patel rides the bounce well and steers it with an open bat face to deep third for an easy single.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Angling away, on a hard length, Virat Kohli gets on top of the bounce and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for one more run.

Marco Jansen to Axar Patel, In the air...but safe! Jansen comes from over the wicket and takes pace off straight away, on a length, outside off, Axar Patel loses his shape as he swings a bit too hard to go big on the leg side. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies down to deep third. Kagiso Rabada almost overruns it as the ball spins away from him but adjusts well to make the stop with his left hand. A single taken.

Drinks break! Well, this has been an eventful start to the summit clash. After the first over that went for 15 runs, South Africa fought back through Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada to take the Powerplay honours. Due to the loss of those three wickets, India have had to rebuild with Axar Patel performing the aggressor role while Virat Kohli has been happy to knock it around. On what looks like a pretty good batting surface, India will have to keep wickets in hand to accelerate at the back end

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Top shot and positive running yet again!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Excellent running in the end but that throw from David Miller was a fine one. Floated up on the pads, Virat Kohli rocks back and wrists it wide of the man at 45 on the leg side and down to deep backward square leg for a brace. Kohli was jogging back and then realized that it was Miller in the deep and a direct hit could have been very interesting.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, On a slightly dragged length around off and bowled flatter, Axar Patel looks to play it away on the off side but miscues it just wide of the keeper. No run there either!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Pushes this one through a bit quicker and on a nagging length on off stump, Axar Patel plays it late and with the turn towards backward point.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Gets a nice bit of arch on that loopy delivery and floats it up on the stumps, Virat Kohli works it off the front foot towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Starts off with a loosener.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Another flatter delivery, darted in at the stumps, Axar Patel plays it off the back foot but can't get it past mid-wicket.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, No run.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, ! Now, that is a solid strike!

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Floated up on the stumps, Virat Kohli is happy to just work the ball away through mid-wicket and turn the strike over.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Nicely cut away but straight to the fielder. On the shorter side and trying to angle it across the off stump, Axar Patel goes on the back foot and cuts it behind point for a run.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, On a length and sliding across the right-hander, Virat Kohli hops on the back foot and tucks it away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Slower through the air and on a dragged length, Axar Patel goes for the slog sweep again but ends up dragging it through the square leg region for a single.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, No run.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, ! Up, up and just over the fielder!

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Tosses it up at around 90 KPH and on the stumps, Virat Kohli brings those wrists into play and works it wide of long on for another single.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Spears the ball in full at the toes, Axar Patel manages to gets the front leg out of the way and flicks it wide of mid on for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Runs coming in just singles now as these two batters look to steady the ship for India. Fuller in length and sliding onto the pads, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for just one more.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Brings out the slower bumper now, at just 112 clicks and dug in well short over the stumps, Virat Kohli does well to get on top of the bounce and plays a controlled pull shot in front of square leg for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, The pace is up from Anrich Nortje and he bowls this one at 141.3 kph, on a good length and angles it into the pads. Virat Kohli fails to get it away and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Hits the deck hard again and bowls it over off and middle, Axar Patel plays it late and close to the body and just nudges it down with soft hands towards short third man.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Anrich Nortje is back on the field and into the attack. Steams in from over the stumps and bowls it on a hard length in the channel around off, Virat Kohli lets the ball come on and dabs it past the diving point fielder for a single.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Tidy stuff from Aiden Markram, just 6 singles off the final over off the Powerplay and India are 45/3!

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Slightly flighted, trying to drift it onto middle and leg, Axar Patel lifts the back leg and leans on before driving it through wide mid on for yet another single.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Bowled quicker and pretty full at the stumps, Virat Kohli meets the ball on the full and punches it firmly down to long on for one.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, On the shorter side and sliding on over middle and leg stump, Virat Kohli goes on the back foot and tucks it away neatly to deep square leg for one more.

Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack now.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Begins from around the stumps and fires the ball in full on middle and leg stump, Axar Patel flicks the ball away through the mid-wicket region and picks up a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Misfield!

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Angling across, on a length, around off, Axar Patel gets half-forward and taps it in front of cover.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, ! A classy shot by Axar Patel to get off the mark. Too straight by Rabada, full and on the pads, Axar Patel lets the ball come to him and closes the face of his bat before clipping it past square leg. Opens his account with a boundary.

Axar Patel is sent up the order as India get rocked early here.

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE!

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Quick single taken! Pitched by Rabada, on off, Virat Kohli presses forward and drives it to the left of mid off. Calls Suryakumar Yadav through for a quick single and the batters make it.

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, In and around the off-stump line, on a good length, Suryakumar Yadav waits on it and glides it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Lands it fractionally short and outside off, Virat Kohli goes on the back foot and cuts it hard but straight to cover-point.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, No run.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, ! Short and punished!

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Angled in again, short and around off, Virat Kohli gets on the back foot and defends it out on the off side.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Slants it in, short and on the off pole, Virat Kohli goes on the back foot and stabs it down the deck with a straight bat.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Uppish but nicely in the gap!

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, Up and just over!

Anrich Nortje has gone off the field probably with a niggle that he suffered while fielding a ball!

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, Pitches it up now to the new batter and bowls it at 141.4 KPH around off, Suryakumar Yadav looks to lean ahead but miscues the attempted drive towards cover.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Finally a run after three straight dot ball for Kohli. Just back of a length, in and around the off stump and sliding on, Virat Kohli stays back and punches it square and wide of point for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Rabada hits the deck hard and bowls it outside off, Virat Kohli is happy to leave the ball alone.

Keshav Maharaj to Rishabh Pant, ! c Quinton de Kock b Keshav Maharaj.

Who comes in next?

Is that out? Quinton de Kock takes the catch and reckons Rishabh Pant is a goner here. The two umpires come together and have a chat regarding a bump ball and then go upstairs. The third umpire is called in and on first review it looks like it went straight off the cue end of the bat and it is concrete evidence. comes up on the big screen!

Keshav Maharaj to Rishabh Pant, No run.

Rishabh Pant walks in at number 3.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, ! c Heinrich Klaasen b Keshav Maharaj.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, ! In complete control this time! Maharaj spears it in and attacks the stumps with a fuller delivery, Rohit Sharma pulls out the reverse paddle and plays it along the ground. Gets it to the right of first slip and well wide of short third for four more runs.

Spin straightaway as Keshav Maharaj comes in from the opposite end.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, Four!

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! Quality shot! Three boundaries in the first over of the final. Jansen lands it bit too full, at the stumps, Virat Kohli springs on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat. Drives it firmly back past the bowler and splits the mid off and mid on fielder. Anrich Nortje gives it a chase and slides but the ball wins the race.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Drags the length back does Jansen and serves it in the channel on off, Virat Kohli watchfully shoulders arms and Quinton de Kock collects it in front of his face.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Hurls it full and slanting away, on off, Virat Kohli leans on it and times the drive to the left of mid off for a couple of runs more.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! This time to the other side but the result is the same! Virat Kohli is up and running with back-to-back boundaries. Jansen overcooks as he tries to go full in search of swing, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli stays balanced in his crease and flicks it past square leg for four more runs.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! Gloriously done!

Marco Jansen to Rohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma and India are underway! Jansen charges in from over the wicket with a leg slip in place and pitches it right up to the batter, on middle, Rohit Sharma gets his bat down and jams it out to the right of mid on for a single.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings! The official mascots for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, Blaze and Tonk light up the screens and that marks the sign of the beginning of the end. The two umpires make their way out to the middle and take their positions followed by the players of South Africa who spread out on the field. It will be the skipper, Rohit Sharma who will open the innings alongside Virat Kohli as usual for India. Marco Jansen has the new ball in hand and is raring to g

We are minutes away from the start of an epic encounter between two quality sides and there are high stakes here. But first, that coveted T20 World Cup Trophy is brought out to be showcased by the honorable Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and 'the Universe Boss' aka Chris Gayle. Next up, the two sets of players make their way out to the middle along with their mascots and line up for their respective national anthems and it will be extra special given it is a monumental occasion. It will

PITCH REPORT - Nasser Hussain is pitchside. He starts by saying that there is a 30 percent chance of rain but hopefully, it stays away and it is the central pitch that will be used for the Final. Adds that there is a short boundary on one side of the square around 56 meters and 71 meters on the other side. Ian Bishop says that the rolling has been done proudly on the pitch and there isn't live grass. Reckons the pitch is hard and adds that there have been more wickets for seamers at this venue t

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram says that they would have batted first as well. Tells that the pitch looks dry but they will have the first crack with the ball and they hope to do well. Shares that at times, they have managed to do well despite being not at their best and they have taken confidence from those wins. Feels that having never played a final in a Men's ICC event, there is no pressure on them and this is a fantastic opportunity. Informs that they are playing with the same

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India says that it looks like a good pitch and they have played one game here. Mentions that it is about individual roles and it is all about keeping calm and taking it like just another game against a world-class team. Adds that South Africa have played excellent cricket and so have they which will make it a great contest. Further adds that it is all about coming together as a unit and ends by informing that they have made no changes to the side.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in the favour of Rohit Sharma. India have opted to BAT first.

Right then, the summit clash is nicely poised at the halfway mark.

Keshav Maharaj is in for a chat. He says that he was trying to use the surface and the breeze. Adds that the surface was slow to begin with but has gotten better now. Reckons that the catching and the outfielding was superb. Mentions that the boys are ready to go and hopefully, they can grab it with both hands.

As for South Africa, the move to start with spin from one end paid dividends as Keshav Maharaj struck twice in his opening over. Kagiso Rabada soon got into the act, resulting in the Powerplay belonging to South Africa. In the middle phase, South Africa allowed a partnership to build as through Axar Patel, India counter-punched. Maharaj, Rabada, Shamsi and Nortje bowled well in that middle phase but Marco Jansen was all over the place with his lines and lengths. Neither could Jansen keep the

Anrich Nortje closes the innings out with a wicket but India managed to score 42 runs off the last 3 overs to end up with 176 on the board. Given that they were three down inside the Powerplay, India will take this total. Through Virat Kohli's three boundaries off Marco Jansen, the Men in Blue got going straight away. Though not much went their way in the next 5 overs of the Powerplay, losing 3 wickets. Virat Kohli and Axar Patel then got together to steady the ship. Sent into to take the spin

Anrich Nortje to Ravindra Jadeja, ! CAUGHT! Anrich Nortje finishes off a more than decent final over and manages to keep India under 180 runs. Nortje steams in and serves a quick bumper over the off stump. Ravindra Jadeja looks to take it on but is rushed into the shot and ends up scoffing it off the top edge. The ball falls well in front of mid off but Keshav Maharaj from extra cover races to the ball and dives in to complete the catch. India finish with 176/7 on the board!

Anrich Nortje to Ravindra Jadeja, Short of a length and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja reaches out and slashes it up and over backward point for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja walks in with 2 balls left in the Indian innings.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, ! c David Miller b Anrich Nortje.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, ! That went like a tracer bullet!

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Top-drawer stuff from Anrich Nortje. Nails the yorker on middle stump, Hardik Pandya can only manage to dig it to mid off for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, Heaved away into the leg side but just for a single. Pitched up on middle and leg stump, Shivam Dube clears the front leg and whips it without much timing to the left of deep mid-wicket for one.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Wayward to begin with from Anrich Nortje.Full and wide but gets it a bit too wide of the tramline and it is left alone for a wide.

Anrich Nortje will bowl the last over. He has conceded just 17 runs from his 3 overs. 33 runs have come off the last 2 overs for India. Can Nortje keep India under 180?

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Four!

Hardik Pandya comes out at number 7.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and some respite for Marco Jansen as he does get the prized wicket. Jansen uses his height well and bowls it just short of a length over the stumps, Virat Kohli looks to take on the pull but gets it well high on the bat and the ball goes straight down the throat of Kagiso Rabada at long on and he makes no mistake. End of a fine knock from Kohli and he gets a standing ovation from the dugout.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! Glorious from Virat Kohli and what a knock this is turning out to be. Length ball, right in the slot around off and middle stump, Kohli clears the front leg and smokes the ball is epic fashion over cow corner or a monster hit. New ball, please!

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Four!

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Really well bowled! A slower one, into the pitch and it is the cutter that goes away from the right-hander. Virat Kohli looks to fetch and pull but is beaten all ends up.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, An appeal for caught behind but instead, Kagiso Rabada has overstepped, drama out in the middle.

Marco Jansen is up in appeal for caught behind as is Quinton de Kock. Both think they have heard something and Aiden Markram takes the review.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Much better finish to the over from Kagiso Rabada but India still get 16 off it. Full and straight in the blockhole, Virat Kohli hangs back and jams the ball down to long on for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Oh, that has slipped right out of Rabada's hand! Goes for the wide yorker but ends up serving a juicy full toss almost beyond the cut strip outside the off stump, Dube leaves it alone for a wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Short of a length and angled in at the hips, Virat Kohli tucks it away off the pads through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Excellent running! Spears in a yorker at the toes, Virat Kohli hangs well deep in the crease and squeezes the ball away in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, ! Relentless from King Kohli now.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, ! Virat Kohli is in the zone now! Hard length on off and middle stump, Kohli stays put and just clears the front leg before whacking the ball away nonchalantly and a long way over long on for a biggie

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, ! Slammed away by Shivam Dube! Short of a length and offering some width outside the off stump, Dube backs away and cuts the ball powerfully and well behind point for a boundary.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, FIFTY up for Virat Kohli!

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, Dug into the deck and over the stumps, Shivam Dube flat bats it with an open stance and right back past the bowler for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Gets the yorker in, around off, at 147 kph, Virat Kohli jams it out off the toe end of the bat towards backward point.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Pushed through flatter on off stump, Shivam Dube rocks back and forces the ball down to long off for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Four!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Flatter one around off stump, dabbed away off the outside edge of the bat to short third for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Shivam Dube, Beauty! Tossed up on a nagging length and on off stump, the ball grips and turns away sharply with some extra bounce. Shivam Dube is beaten all ends up.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Takes a bit of pace off the ball and dugs it in around the leg stump line, Virat Kohli advances down the pitch and whips the pull away over mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, Too full, looking to spear it in at the toes, Shivam Dube backs away a bit and hits the low full toss to deep mid-wicket for a run more.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Marco Jansen goes into the pitch and angles it well across the off stump, Virat Kohli tries to fetch and pull but gets it off the toe end of the bat in front of mid-wicket for no run.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, A well-directed short ball, right at the helmet of the batter, Virat Kohli manages to get inside the ball and hooks it down to fine leg for a single.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, ! Launched down the ground!

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Shivam Dube, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, ! run out (Quinton de Kock).

Who comes out now?

Oh, what happened there?

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Rabada digs it in short as he sees Kohli charge down the track. It goes way over the batter's head for a wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Rabada compensates by dragging his length and bowls it outside off, Axar Patel waits back in his crease and pats it to the left of point for a single. 7 runs off the first 2 balls of the over.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, ! Clean as a whistle! 100 up for India in style! Rabada comes from around the wicket and tries to target the stumps. Gets the line wrong and serves it right in the slot. Axar Patel clears the front leg and with a still head, launches it over long on for a biggie.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Nortje goes into the deck, over middle, Axar Patel hops back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single to end the over.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Beaten! Angling across the batter, on a short of a good length, too close for Axar Patel to play the cut and he gets beaten on the outside edge.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, WIDE! Nortje is lucky to get away with it!

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Slower and fuller by Nortje, outside off, Virat Kohli cracks the drive through covers and rotates the strike.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, In and around the off pole, on a hard length, Virat Kohli gets on his toes and guides it to backward point.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Nortje pitches it up, full and on the pads, Virat Kohli flicks it away off his pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Aerial but safe!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Six!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Drops it short and it is around the pads, Virat Kohli works it around the corner and gets to the other end.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Oh, that was risky! Lopped by Shamsi, on middle, Axar Patel crouches to nail the slog sweep but gets an inside edge back onto the pads and the ball rolls away on the leg side for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, A bit too straight by Shamsi, full and on the pads, Virat Kohli works it with the turn behind square on the leg side for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Shamsi floats it up, full and turning in, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli gets a good stride in and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Jansen varies his length now as he goes short and at the left shoulder of the batter. The ball hurries Virat Kohli again and gets big on him too. Kohli goes for the pull but gloves it along the ground to backward square leg for just a single.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Wide!

Marco Jansen to Axar Patel, Jansen brings the surface into play again as he bangs it in but takes all the pace off, on off and middle, Axar Patel waits on it and guides it down to deep third for a single.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Bends his back and digs it in short does Jansen, at the batter, Virat Kohli gets rushed in the pull shot and gets high on the bat as he swivels for the pull. Splices the pull in front of deep square leg for a run.

Marco Jansen to Axar Patel, Slanting into the southpaw, on a back of a length, on off, Axar Patel rides the bounce well and steers it with an open bat face to deep third for an easy single.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Angling away, on a hard length, Virat Kohli gets on top of the bounce and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for one more run.

Marco Jansen to Axar Patel, In the air...but safe! Jansen comes from over the wicket and takes pace off straight away, on a length, outside off, Axar Patel loses his shape as he swings a bit too hard to go big on the leg side. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies down to deep third. Kagiso Rabada almost overruns it as the ball spins away from him but adjusts well to make the stop with his left hand. A single taken.

Drinks break! Well, this has been an eventful start to the summit clash. After the first over that went for 15 runs, South Africa fought back through Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada to take the Powerplay honours. Due to the loss of those three wickets, India have had to rebuild with Axar Patel performing the aggressor role while Virat Kohli has been happy to knock it around. On what looks like a pretty good batting surface, India will have to keep wickets in hand to accelerate at the back end

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Top shot and positive running yet again!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Excellent running in the end but that throw from David Miller was a fine one. Floated up on the pads, Virat Kohli rocks back and wrists it wide of the man at 45 on the leg side and down to deep backward square leg for a brace. Kohli was jogging back and then realized that it was Miller in the deep and a direct hit could have been very interesting.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, On a slightly dragged length around off and bowled flatter, Axar Patel looks to play it away on the off side but miscues it just wide of the keeper. No run there either!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Axar Patel, Pushes this one through a bit quicker and on a nagging length on off stump, Axar Patel plays it late and with the turn towards backward point.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, Gets a nice bit of arch on that loopy delivery and floats it up on the stumps, Virat Kohli works it off the front foot towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Starts off with a loosener.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Another flatter delivery, darted in at the stumps, Axar Patel plays it off the back foot but can't get it past mid-wicket.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, No run.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, ! Now, that is a solid strike!

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Floated up on the stumps, Virat Kohli is happy to just work the ball away through mid-wicket and turn the strike over.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Nicely cut away but straight to the fielder. On the shorter side and trying to angle it across the off stump, Axar Patel goes on the back foot and cuts it behind point for a run.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, On a length and sliding across the right-hander, Virat Kohli hops on the back foot and tucks it away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Slower through the air and on a dragged length, Axar Patel goes for the slog sweep again but ends up dragging it through the square leg region for a single.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, No run.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, ! Up, up and just over the fielder!

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Tosses it up at around 90 KPH and on the stumps, Virat Kohli brings those wrists into play and works it wide of long on for another single.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Spears the ball in full at the toes, Axar Patel manages to gets the front leg out of the way and flicks it wide of mid on for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Runs coming in just singles now as these two batters look to steady the ship for India. Fuller in length and sliding onto the pads, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for just one more.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Brings out the slower bumper now, at just 112 clicks and dug in well short over the stumps, Virat Kohli does well to get on top of the bounce and plays a controlled pull shot in front of square leg for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, The pace is up from Anrich Nortje and he bowls this one at 141.3 kph, on a good length and angles it into the pads. Virat Kohli fails to get it away and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Hits the deck hard again and bowls it over off and middle, Axar Patel plays it late and close to the body and just nudges it down with soft hands towards short third man.

Anrich Nortje to Virat Kohli, Anrich Nortje is back on the field and into the attack. Steams in from over the stumps and bowls it on a hard length in the channel around off, Virat Kohli lets the ball come on and dabs it past the diving point fielder for a single.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Tidy stuff from Aiden Markram, just 6 singles off the final over off the Powerplay and India are 45/3!

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Slightly flighted, trying to drift it onto middle and leg, Axar Patel lifts the back leg and leans on before driving it through wide mid on for yet another single.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Bowled quicker and pretty full at the stumps, Virat Kohli meets the ball on the full and punches it firmly down to long on for one.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, 1 run.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, On the shorter side and sliding on over middle and leg stump, Virat Kohli goes on the back foot and tucks it away neatly to deep square leg for one more.

Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack now.

Aiden Markram to Axar Patel, Begins from around the stumps and fires the ball in full on middle and leg stump, Axar Patel flicks the ball away through the mid-wicket region and picks up a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Misfield!

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, Angling across, on a length, around off, Axar Patel gets half-forward and taps it in front of cover.

Kagiso Rabada to Axar Patel, ! A classy shot by Axar Patel to get off the mark. Too straight by Rabada, full and on the pads, Axar Patel lets the ball come to him and closes the face of his bat before clipping it past square leg. Opens his account with a boundary.

Axar Patel is sent up the order as India get rocked early here.

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE!

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Quick single taken! Pitched by Rabada, on off, Virat Kohli presses forward and drives it to the left of mid off. Calls Suryakumar Yadav through for a quick single and the batters make it.

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, In and around the off-stump line, on a good length, Suryakumar Yadav waits on it and glides it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Lands it fractionally short and outside off, Virat Kohli goes on the back foot and cuts it hard but straight to cover-point.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, No run.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, ! Short and punished!

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Angled in again, short and around off, Virat Kohli gets on the back foot and defends it out on the off side.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Slants it in, short and on the off pole, Virat Kohli goes on the back foot and stabs it down the deck with a straight bat.

Keshav Maharaj to Virat Kohli, Uppish but nicely in the gap!

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, Up and just over!

Anrich Nortje has gone off the field probably with a niggle that he suffered while fielding a ball!

Kagiso Rabada to Suryakumar Yadav, Pitches it up now to the new batter and bowls it at 141.4 KPH around off, Suryakumar Yadav looks to lean ahead but miscues the attempted drive towards cover.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Finally a run after three straight dot ball for Kohli. Just back of a length, in and around the off stump and sliding on, Virat Kohli stays back and punches it square and wide of point for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, No run.

Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli, Rabada hits the deck hard and bowls it outside off, Virat Kohli is happy to leave the ball alone.

Keshav Maharaj to Rishabh Pant, ! c Quinton de Kock b Keshav Maharaj.

Who comes in next?

Is that out? Quinton de Kock takes the catch and reckons Rishabh Pant is a goner here. The two umpires come together and have a chat regarding a bump ball and then go upstairs. The third umpire is called in and on first review it looks like it went straight off the cue end of the bat and it is concrete evidence. comes up on the big screen!

Keshav Maharaj to Rishabh Pant, No run.

Rishabh Pant walks in at number 3.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, ! c Heinrich Klaasen b Keshav Maharaj.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, ! In complete control this time! Maharaj spears it in and attacks the stumps with a fuller delivery, Rohit Sharma pulls out the reverse paddle and plays it along the ground. Gets it to the right of first slip and well wide of short third for four more runs.

Spin straightaway as Keshav Maharaj comes in from the opposite end.

Keshav Maharaj to Rohit Sharma, Four!

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! Quality shot! Three boundaries in the first over of the final. Jansen lands it bit too full, at the stumps, Virat Kohli springs on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat. Drives it firmly back past the bowler and splits the mid off and mid on fielder. Anrich Nortje gives it a chase and slides but the ball wins the race.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Drags the length back does Jansen and serves it in the channel on off, Virat Kohli watchfully shoulders arms and Quinton de Kock collects it in front of his face.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, Hurls it full and slanting away, on off, Virat Kohli leans on it and times the drive to the left of mid off for a couple of runs more.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! This time to the other side but the result is the same! Virat Kohli is up and running with back-to-back boundaries. Jansen overcooks as he tries to go full in search of swing, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli stays balanced in his crease and flicks it past square leg for four more runs.

Marco Jansen to Virat Kohli, ! Gloriously done!

Marco Jansen to Rohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma and India are underway! Jansen charges in from over the wicket with a leg slip in place and pitches it right up to the batter, on middle, Rohit Sharma gets his bat down and jams it out to the right of mid on for a single.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings! The official mascots for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, Blaze and Tonk light up the screens and that marks the sign of the beginning of the end. The two umpires make their way out to the middle and take their positions followed by the players of South Africa who spread out on the field. It will be the skipper, Rohit Sharma who will open the innings alongside Virat Kohli as usual for India. Marco Jansen has the new ball in hand and is raring to g

We are minutes away from the start of an epic encounter between two quality sides and there are high stakes here. But first, that coveted T20 World Cup Trophy is brought out to be showcased by the honorable Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and 'the Universe Boss' aka Chris Gayle. Next up, the two sets of players make their way out to the middle along with their mascots and line up for their respective national anthems and it will be extra special given it is a monumental occasion. It will

PITCH REPORT - Nasser Hussain is pitchside. He starts by saying that there is a 30 percent chance of rain but hopefully, it stays away and it is the central pitch that will be used for the Final. Adds that there is a short boundary on one side of the square around 56 meters and 71 meters on the other side. Ian Bishop says that the rolling has been done proudly on the pitch and there isn't live grass. Reckons the pitch is hard and adds that there have been more wickets for seamers at this venue t

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram says that they would have batted first as well. Tells that the pitch looks dry but they will have the first crack with the ball and they hope to do well. Shares that at times, they have managed to do well despite being not at their best and they have taken confidence from those wins. Feels that having never played a final in a Men's ICC event, there is no pressure on them and this is a fantastic opportunity. Informs that they are playing with the same

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India says that it looks like a good pitch and they have played one game here. Mentions that it is about individual roles and it is all about keeping calm and taking it like just another game against a world-class team. Adds that South Africa have played excellent cricket and so have they which will make it a great contest. Further adds that it is all about coming together as a unit and ends by informing that they have made no changes to the side.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in the favour of Rohit Sharma. India have opted to BAT first.