What The first T20I of the three-match Paytm T20 Trophy between India and South Africa When Friday October 2, 2015 19:00 IST (13:30 GMT) Where HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India

The teams

India

India’s limited overs team led by MS Dhoni has regrouped for the first time after the ODI series in Bangladesh in June. While most of the short-form specialists had a long break, those who were part of the victorious Test series in Sri Lanka have also had a chance to rejuvenate before gathering at Bengaluru for the pre-series camp. Since getting to Dharamsala Team India has had very focused training sessions, catering to the needs of the shortest format. Batsmen have been practising their big shots in the nets while bowlers have been working on their variations. The fielding coach has been busy giving the boys sharp catches at boundary and outer circle. The preparations are in full swing and the players are exuding confidence. As the team combination goes, the top six batsmen more or less select themselves. Given the conditions in Dharamsala in the evening, the dew will be a huge factor. The wicket is known to assist swing and pace bowlers. Keeping these in mind, both teams will field a seam-heavy attack. For India, Stuart Binny could fill in the No. 7 slot with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma and R Ashwin manning the attack. If the captain decides to go with the lone spinner, left-arm pacer, Sreenath Arvind could bring in some variety.

South Africa With this match, South Africa will begin their long series in India. Although they lost their T20 warm-up game against India A, they would be happy to start their international tour in Dharamsala, a venue that gives a lot of delight to the fast bowlers. Talking of the fast bowlers, the visitors have brought a very young attack for the T20Is, deciding to save their ace pacers for the longer formats. However, most of these guys have had a taste of India during their stints in the IPL or CLT20. That experience will come in handy. Captain Faf du Plessis has also shown a lot of faith in his leg-spinner, Imran Tahir to win the team games.

As far as their batting goes, the pedigree is immense with the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, du Plessis, David Miller and Quinton de Kock manning the order.

Key players

India

MS Dhoni will be fresh and hungry after a good, long rest. Whether it is finishing the game with lusty blows in the end or building the innings with busy running, Dhoni is an expert in both the roles. With the Dharamsala pitch expected to produce lot of runs, the Indian captain is the one to watch out for. South Africa JP Duminy showed the measure of his current form by smashing a 32-ball 68 in the warm-up game. Combining that with his knack of picking up wickets at crucial times, he could well be the Proteas’ trump card. Squads India: MS Dhoni (capt, wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sreenath Arvind, Amit Mishra. South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock (wk), Imran Tahir, Eddie Leie, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Khaya Zondo.