The Proteas are determined to hit the ground running when their five-match T20 International series against India gets underway on Tuesday in Cuttack.

The South Africans have already brushed aside the disappointment of the 2–1 One-Day International series defeat, shifting their attention fully to the shortest and most explosive format. 

With the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka creeping ever closer, every delivery, every decision and every performance carries extra weight.

This series is a rematch of sorts – the world champions India up against the runners-up South Africa. Their last showdown in T20 cricket was the pulsating 2024 T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown, Barbados, where India edged the Proteas by just seven runs to lift the trophy.

The Proteas, however, have received a timely boost with the return of the experienced, big-hitting left-hander David Miller. 

It will be his first T20 series for South Africa since the tour to Pakistan in December last year, and his presence brings both firepower and calm to the middle order.

Speaking ahead of the opening clash, captain Aiden Markram stressed the importance of shifting into T20 mode and leaving the ODI outcome behind.

“Yeah, it’s just the way the schedule goes nowadays – you wrap up a series and move on to the next one pretty quickly,” said Markram.

“We travelled yesterday, got here today, train this evening and be as ready as we can be for tomorrow.”

Markram acknowledged the size of the challenge awaiting them against India, but he welcomed it.

“It is an exciting T20 series. India have had a settled squad together for a while now and they have done really well, so they will bring some good challenges. But we are looking forward to it.”

Quinton de Kock. Photo: Cricinfo

“When you don’t have to face world-class players like Virat Kohli, who’s had such a massive impact with the bat, it’s always quite nice,” he added with a grin.

Markram also reiterated the team’s commitment to playing a bold, entertaining brand of cricket – one that both inspires and excites.

“I think it’s just extra planning – it’s T20 cricket, it’s an entertaining format, and that’s the brand and the way we want to play.” 

Aiden Markram. Photo: Cricinfo

“We want guys to free themselves up, enjoy the game and let their best skills be on show. Hopefully, if we put together a collective effort, the result will be a good one.

“It is an exciting time, and T20 cricket is always meant to be exciting. We are really looking forward to it.”

The first ball at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is scheduled to be bowled at 15:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg