South Africa has announced its 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan, in May 2025. Temba Bavuma will captain the Proteas, who have combined some of the country's most experienced with youngsters.

Squad:

Batters:

• Temba Bavuma (Captain)
• Aiden Markram
• Tony de Zorzi
• Rassie van der Dussen
• David Miller

Wicket-Keepers:

• Heinrich Klaasen
• Ryan Rickelton
• Tristan Stubbs

ALL rounders:

• Wiaan Mulder
• Marco Jansen

Bowlers:

• Kagiso Rabada
• Tabraiz Shamsi
• Corbin Bosch
• Lungi Ngidi
• Keshav Maharaj

Travelling Reverse:

• Kwena Maphaka

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South Africa Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj. Travelling Reserve: Kwena Maphaka.

South Africa is one of the best teams in the tournment.The several contains several experienced players they can perform well in the champions trophy .thry will create best impact in the match. Head coach Rob Walter has expressed his gratitude about his team and also squad has balanced skill,experience 

🚨 𝑱𝑼𝑺𝑻 𝑰𝑵 🚨

Here is South Africa's updated ODI squad for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy 🇿🇦🤝#TembaBavuma #SouthAfrica #ODIs #ChampionsTrophy #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/LWd9yINy8o

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 9, 2025

Key players to watch:

Temba Bavuma – He will be playing a very important role as a leader from the front.
David Miller – A threatening middle-order hitter with the finishing skills.
Kagiso Rabada – A world-class fast bowler who can break any batting lineup.
Marco Jansen - An exciting all-rounder who can make a difference with both bat and ball.

Top 5 Fastest Centuries in T20 International Cricket
T20 cricket is the most exciting format of the game. In this game, explosive batting has a key role. With the passage of time, numerous cricketers have amazed audiences by scoring rapid centuries, and the records fell into pieces. Now, here's a glance at the five fastest centuries that T20 International has ever seen:

1. Sahil Chauhan – 27 Balls (2024)

Sahil Chauhan holds the record for scoring the fastest century in T20I history in just 27 balls. This incredible feat came against Cyprus on June 17, 2024. This innings was so full of power sixes and fours that Sahil Chauhan became the fastest-ever centurion in T20 internationals.

2. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton – 33 Balls (2024)

Namibian cricketer Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton broke the record with the fastest ever century in the T20I format, after Sahil Chauhan left it behind breaking it. And he made that hundred in the match of the year 2024 in merely 33 deliveries. His fearless batting display marked how T20 cricket is flourishing and how athletes are always experimenting with boundaries.


3. Sikandar Raza – 33 Balls (2023)

Zimbabwe’s star all-rounder Sikandar Raza also holds the record for scoring a 33-ball century in T20Is. His knock was filled with exceptional hitting, helping Zimbabwe post a massive total. His ability to attack from the very first ball makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the shortest format.

4. Kushal Malla – 34 Balls (2023)

Nepali cricketer Kushal Malla caught headlines as he scored a T20I century within just 34 deliveries in 2023. His match-winning innings portrayed that Nepal is gaining force against international cricket. As he managed to find gaps and hit big shots, it happened to be one of the fastest centuries in cricket history.
ALSO READ:Abhishek Sharma thrashes records to set a greatest T20I century

5. David Miller & Rohit Sharma – 35 Balls (Tie Record)

South Africa's David Miller and India's Rohit Sharma share the record for scoring the fastest century in T20I cricket - 35 balls. Miller blazed his explosive century against Bangladesh in 2017, just like Rohit Sharma did on the same calendar year against Sri Lanka. This was filled with breathtaking strokes for both innings.

Abhishek Sharma – 37 Balls (2025)

One of the latest record-breaking performances is Abhishek Sharma of India who, on February 2, 2025, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, hit a 37-ball century against England. Abhishek struck 13 sixes and enabled India to put a monstrous total on the board. His onslaught helped India win the match by a margin of 150 runs, thereby confirming him as a future T20 superstar. He also became the second-quickest Indian to score a T20I hundred after Rohit Sharma's 35-ball century.

SA20 League Explained: The Less Trivial Points System that makes truly Complex

South Africa not only has the most exciting cricket competition these days SA20 League but it is attracting world fans not just with its hot games but especially with a novel system of points. The SA20 Points table in it's South Africa points against such a league approach eschews that of most leagues.

What is the SA20 Points System

By default best team in SA20 wins the match with 4 points. Points can go up to 5 if the winning team overachieve in Net Run Rate (NRR) by more than +1.25 against N cases losing team 0 points in this situationNow when there is a valid loss, the standard amount of points is given to the runner up. Each time a match results, 2 points will be rewarded to both teams.Match ( Standard: The winning team gets 2 points, Losing team nil, tie 1 Point for each team )

Highlights (SA20 Points Table)

As of now, Paarl Royal is leading the SA20 league in the Points Table with 20 points after winning five out of seven matches, while the two-time champion Sunrisers Eastern Cape is second, with 19 points after winning four matches.

SA20 Points Table

Top Run scorer 

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India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024 were a triumph of skill, strategy, and sheer determination. Among the many highlights of the tournament, one moment stood out: Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch to dismiss David Miller in the final. Fielding, often an underrated aspect of cricket, played a crucial role in this victory, exemplifying the saying that “catches win matches.”

The crucial moment

With South Africa needing 16 runs from the final over, the pressure was palpable. The crowd at the stadium and millions of viewers around the world held their breath. India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, turned to Hardik Pandya to bowl the decisive over, hoping his experience and nerve would see India through.

See Also: Rohit Sharma invites fans to join India’s victory parade in Mumbai; Check full schedule

Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch

Hardik Pandya bowled a wide-ish full toss that David Miller struck powerfully down the park. The ball seemed destined to clear the boundary, but Suryakumar Yadav had other plans. He leaped into action, catching the ball mid-air with remarkable precision. As his momentum carried him out of play, Surya had the presence of mind to release the ball back into the air, find his balance, and jump back inside the ropes to complete the catch. This jaw-dropping effort sent Miller back to the dugout and gave India a massive advantage in the dying moments of the game.

Impact on the game

The dismissal of David Miller was a turning point. South Africa, just moments away from a potential victory, found themselves reeling from the blow. Suryakumar’s catch shifted the momentum entirely, and India went on to win the match by 7 runs, securing their place as T20 World Cup champions.

ICC recognition

The ICC recognized Suryakumar Yadav’s catch as one of the best in the T20 World Cup 2024. This acknowledgment places his effort alongside other incredible catches, highlighting its significance in the context of the tournament.

Other memorable catches

Among the best catches of the tournament were Axar Patel’s one-handed stunner to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, Gulbadin Naib’s spectacular grab, Roston Chase’s diving effort, Steven Taylor’s wonderful catch against Pakistan, and Aiden Markram’s backward dive. Each of these catches had its moment of glory, but Suryakumar’s effort in the final stands out due to its timing and impact.

Player reactions

Suryakumar Yadav expressed his joy and gratitude in post-match interviews, acknowledging the team effort that led to their victory. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya also praised Surya’s catch, emphasizing its significance in their win. The team celebrated this moment, understanding its pivotal role in their triumph.

Suryakumar Yadav’s catch will be remembered as one of the defining moments in T20 World Cup history. Comparable to other famous catches in World Cup history, this moment will be etched in the memories of cricket fans for years to come.

As the South African team takes to the field for their historic ICC T20 World Cup final in Barbados, all eyes will be on their middle-order batter, David Miller. Known as the Proteas’ crisis man, Miller has a reputation for delivering crucial performances in ICC knockout games.

The Match-Up: India vs South Africa

Both India and South Africa have shown exceptional form throughout the tournament. South Africa secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan, ending their dream campaign. On the other hand, India avenged their semi-final defeat in the 2022 edition by defeating England by 68 runs. This final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two dominant sides.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024 Final, South Africa vs India: Aiden Markram gears up for the final showdown at Barbados

David Miller: A player who never chokes

David Miller’s reputation as a dependable performer in high-pressure situations is well-deserved. Over the years, he has been South Africa’s go-to man in crunch games, especially in ICC tournaments. His ability to deliver under pressure has made him an invaluable asset for the Proteas.

Miller’s performance in ICC tournaments

ICC Champions Trophy 2013

During the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against England, Miller scored a vital 56 off 51 balls, rescuing South Africa from a precarious position of 80/8 to 175. Though England chased the total easily, Miller’s knock was crucial in giving his team a fighting chance.

T20 World Cup 2014

In the 2014 T20 World Cup semi-final against India, Miller played a quickfire cameo of 23 off 12 balls. His efforts helped South Africa post a competitive total of 172/4, though India, led by Virat Kohli’s 72, eventually chased it down.

ODI World Cup 2015

Miller’s explosive 49 off 18 balls in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand was another highlight. His innings included six fours and three sixes, boosting South Africa’s total to 281/5 in a rain-affected game. Despite his efforts, New Zealand managed to chase down the target.

ODI World Cup 2023

Perhaps his most valuable contribution came in the 2023 50-over World Cup semi-final against Australia. Miller’s century (101 off 116 balls) was instrumental in taking South Africa from 24/4 to a respectable 212. Although Australia chased the total, Miller’s innings was a standout performance under immense pressure.

In ICC tournament knockouts, Miller has amassed 229 runs in four games at an average of 76.33, including a century and a half-century. His best score remains the 101 against Australia. These statistics underscore his importance in crucial matches.

IPL knockouts performance

He has also been a key player in IPL knockout matches, representing Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. Notable performances include a brisk 68 and 32 in winning causes against Rajasthan Royals in the 2022 season.

India’s counter strategy

India, aware of Miller’s capabilities, will have specific plans to counter him. Key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja will play crucial roles in containing Miller. India’s strategy will likely involve varying their pace and using tight field placements to restrict Miller’s scoring opportunities.

The story remains the same for South Africa as another World Cup approaches. They have a talented group of players, full of potential. However, despite their abilities, it’s hard to truly fear a team with a history of falling apart when it matters most. Take the previous T20 World Cup in 2022, for example. South Africa needed just one more win to reach the semi-finals but ended up losing to the Netherlands in a major upset, a collapse that was disappointing even by their own standards.

This pattern of underperformance isn’t new for South Africa. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, they were eliminated on net run rate, taking too long to chase a target of 85. Back in 2012, three costly sixes from Umar Gul led to their downfall. In 2007, while chasing 154 against India, they were restricted to 116, falling short of the qualification mark by 10 runs. These examples highlight a recurring issue: no matter how strong the team appears, they often struggle to deliver when the stakes are high.

See Also: IPL 2024: Season Review: Which players fell short of expectations this season?

What can win them the trophy?

South Africa boasts a powerful lineup of batters, including David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram, and Quinton de Kock, each having scored over 1,000 T20 runs globally since 2023. These players will be the core of the team, earning South Africa the dark horse tag for the upcoming World Cup. There’s always a first time for everything, and the Rainbow Nation hopes that this will finally be the tournament where a South African cricket team performs to its full potential from start to finish.

However, numerous past heartbreaks have eroded confidence in the team’s ability to deliver when it counts. This creates the biggest paradox in South African cricket: whether to hold on to hope or to brace for another letdown. Despite the immense talent and promise, the weight of history makes it hard to fully believe in a different outcome.

South Africa’s middle order is formidable, featuring Klaasen at four, Miller at five, and Stubbs at six. These batters excel against both pace and spin. Heinrich Klaasen has been among the top T20 batters since 2023, scoring more runs than any other middle-order player and boasting the highest strike rate. His performance against spin has been outstanding, with 800 runs at an average of 53.3 and a strike rate of 190.5. Tristan Stubbs has also been impressive, amassing 737 runs this season with an average of 52.6 and a strike rate of 174.2.

Notably, 66% of his runs have come in the death overs, where he strikes at 225.6, making him the most prolific death-overs batter in the recently concluded IPL 2024. Although David Miller’s numbers are more modest (average 28.8, strike rate 133.5), he remains a dynamic T20 player. As a left-hander, Miller adds the valuable left-hand-right-hand combination to the trio.

On good batting pitches, South Africa’s middle order can elevate the team to towering scores. They are also capable of handling the most complete spin attacks on slower tracks. Even above them, South Africa boasts established players like Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Aiden Markram. As demonstrated in the 50-over World Cup last year, South Africa has the ability to bat the opposition out of the game in favorable batting conditions. This powerful lineup gives them the potential to dominate matches and make a deep run in the upcoming World Cup.

South Africa’s top seven players are straightforward selections. They have the flexibility to field three spinners by adding wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi alongside finger spinners Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram. Alternatively, they can opt for a pace-heavy attack by including bowlers like Gerald Coetzee or Junior Dala. With three of their four group games scheduled to be played in New York, where conditions are uncertain, it will be crucial for them to quickly assess and adapt to the playing environment. This versatility in their lineup gives South Africa multiple strategic options depending on the conditions they encounter.

IND vs SA, 1st ODI: Innings South Africa 249 for 4 (Miller 75*, Klaasen 74*, de Kock 48, Thakur 2-35) vs India

In the rain-reduced first ODI against India in Lucknow, South Africa posted a competitive total of 249 for 4 (Miller 75*, Klaasen 74*, de Kock 48, Thakur 2-35)

All thanks to an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 139 runs between Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Building on Quinton de Kock’s 48, the two increased South Africa’s score from 110 to 4 in the 23rd over and more than doubled it after 40 overs.

At 7.8 runs per over, Klaasen scored his fourth ODI century and Miller scored his 18th, putting pressure on India’s five-man attack. Ravi Bishnoi’s debut cost India 69 runs in eight overs, Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan were hit for over six, and Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav conceded at under five.

Siraj and Avesh opened with four testing overs each and made excellent use of bowler-friendly conditions to restrict South Africa to 28 runs in the eight-over powerplay. Both players moved and made the openers think twice about their off stump.They managed to escape after Janneman Malan was repeatedly beaten and de Kock was struck in the thigh.De Kock drove Avesh through the middle of the off, Malan hit two good pull shots to the boundary, and most importantly, they made it to the line.

When Thakur came on as the first change and drew Malan forward to take the edge, they were close to splitting, but Shubman Gill stopped it at the first slip.Two overs later, Malan hit a full ball to Shreyas Iyer at midwicket, and Thakur got his man. The first stand ended on 49.

That brought the under-fire captain Temba Bavuma to the crease, and when he bottom-edged Thakur on to his foot and came close to cutting on, he almost fell for his third duck in four innings on the tour. Bavuma played an authoritative reverse sweep off a no-ball from Bishnoi, giving the impression that the tide had turned for him. He then drove Bishnoi through a deep point, but the fun didn’t last long. Bavuma did not reach double-figures on this tour yet because he was bowled between the bat and the pad by Thakur using a cross-seamer.

Shikhar Dhawan brought in Kuldeep to replace Bishnoi because he saw an opportunity to break into South Africa’s middle order. Aiden Markram was clearly unable to read Kuldeep. Markram was bowled as he attempted to defend by the leg spinner after being fixed by the googly and the shorter delivery. After 16 overs, South Africa were 71 for 3.

Kuldeep continued to pose a problem for South Africa, and he had Klaasen top-edging a sweep; however, the opportunity missed Dhawan at slip and was thrown wide.A well-placed slog-sweep between fine leg and deep square not long after gave Klaasen his own back. South Africa’s recovery was on track when de Kock was out lbw when he missed a reverse sweep to become Bishnoi’s first ODI wicket. Klaasen and de Kock’s fourth-wicket partnership grew to 39 at a scoring rate above six, and de Kock was out for his first ODI wicket.De Kock looked over the play, but ball tracking revealed that Bishnoi was hitting the middle stump.

Miller was ready to tee off with 17.4 overs remaining and a solid foundation in place. He was given a short, wide delivery in the front and hit it through the covers for four. He then swept the first Kuldeep ball he faced for four more and tore Bishnoi back over his head for six, bringing up the heavy artillery.Dhawan brought Thakur back after the spinners gave up 26 runs in three overs. Thakur calmed things down and even threatened Miller’s outside edge. 

However, Bishnoi had to be brought back because there were only five bowlers in the attack, and Klaasen took over as the aggressor. He hit Kuldeep over the covers for his first six and found the gap between square leg and midwicket for four, leaving South Africa on 164 for 4 with ten overs remaining.

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As Miller and Klaasen alternated between an all-out attack and saving themselves for the end, India conceded 31 runs in the subsequent five overs. Miller hit fifty off fifty balls in the 36th over, and Klaasen hit fifty off 52 before flat-battering Avesh for six. When Miller was dropped off at Siraj by Ruturaj Gaikwad, things continued to go wrong for India; Klaasen was then given to Avesh by Siraj; Bishnoi also threw Miller out on the next pitch, resulting in an over that cost Avesh 16 runs.One run short of 250, South Africa scored 54 in the final five overs.

In front of a jam-packed crowd at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Rahul sizzled with an eye-pleasing 57 of 28 balls, before Suryakumar brought out full carnage of 360 degree shots to make 61 off just 22 balls. Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik played their parts well as India made merry and enthralled the fans by feasting on an ordinary bowling performance from South Africa, barring Keshav Maharaj’s 2/23 in four overs. 

India were off to a fiery start right from the word go when Rahul placed a length ball from Kagiso Rabada between backward point and cover for four. The aggression from India then upped in the fourth over when Rahul nonchalantly flicked off wrists to send a Wayne Parnell delivery over deep backward square leg for six. On the very next ball, Rahul crisply brought out square drive off Parnell for four more. Before Rohit glanced through fine leg to make it the second four of the over. Rohit and Rahul took a four each in the next two overs off Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj to end the power-play at 57/0.

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David Miller’s century goes in vain as IND beat SA by 16 runs

Post power-play, Rahul thumped Anrich Nortje all around the park. Smacking him for a brace of sixes and a four over the keeper’s head. Rohit increased the thrashing by taking successive boundaries in the ninth over costing 21 runs. The 96-run opening stand was broken by Maharaj when Rohit dragged a slog-sweep to deep mid-wicket. Rahul reached his fifty in 24 balls when he danced down the pitch to smack. Aiden Markram over long-on for six and brought up India’s hundred in the process. In the next over, Rahul missed the sweep on a skiddy delivery from Maharaj and was trapped lbw.

Suryakumar wept and cut through for fours in his first four balls to maintain the run-rate tempo. He then took Kagiso Rabada for cleaners in the 15th over. Flick-off wrists went for six over deep square leg, followed by loft over long-off for four. A scoop-pull over fine leg for four was followed by a scooping a flick over fine leg for six to take 22 runs of the over. Suryakumar’s carnage continued when he slapped a full toss off Ngidi over deep mid-wicket for six. Followed it up with a slice over the third man for four. He brought up his fifty in 18 balls with a fantastic uppercut over backward point for six on a no-ball off Parnell.

Kohli joined the boundary-hitting party with a six and two fours off Parnell, followed by a four off Ngidi. Kohli hit two more fours before Karthik applied finishing touches with a four and two sixes in the final over. To end a memorable batting show by India.

In a continuing sign of T20 franchise owners gravitating towards players they already know and trust, Paarl Royals snapped up the South African duo of David Miller and uncapped allrounder Corbin Bosch, England’s new white-ball captain Jos Buttler and West Indies fast bowler Obed McCoy. All four have worked for these owners before – in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals – and will continue to do so now in the upcoming CSA T20 League

According to tournament rules, a team can sign a maximum of one capped South African, three overseas players and an uncapped player ahead of the players auction. So far, the Durban franchise – owned by the same group that manages Lucknow Super Giants and comprising the same core of players who helped take LSG to the knockout stages of IPL 2022 – and MI Cape Town have announced their picks. Buttler bossed this year’s IPL for the Royals, scoring a whopping 863 runs, an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05. He hit four centuries and smashed 45 sixes and was also the leading run-getter of the competition.

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Royals now stepping into CSA league, Buttler, McCoy big names

Miller, who was part of the IPL title-winning Gujarat Titans, amassed a total of 449 runs at a strike rate of 141.19. He was eighth in the list of leading run-getters this season – and second behind captain Hardik Pandya for the Titans. McCoy, who represented Royals in the IPL this year, chipped in with 11 wickets from seven matches at an economy over nine. Early this month, he picked up his career-best figures for West Indies against India in the second T20I which the hosts won by five wickets.

The uncapped South African Bosch joined the Rajasthan franchise this IPL as a replacement for injured fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile, but didn’t get to play a single match. The 27-year old, who plays for the Titans in domestic cricket, is a seam-bowling allrounder who bats in the lower-middle order. Having made his T20 debut in 2014, he has played only 30 games, scoring 151 runs at a strike rate of 120.80 and picking up 18 wickets at an economy of 8.16. He has also played 24 first-class games and 21 List A games.

The CSA release on Wednesday also said the player auction would take place “in the next few weeks” before the league begins in January 2023. All six franchises have been bought by groups that own teams in the IPL and the league is likely to allow four overseas players in the playing XI with no requirements for transformation as of now.

Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of South Africa‘s all-format tour of England and two T20Is against Ireland picking up an elbow injury during the new T20Is in India. Keshav Maharaj and David Miller are named captains of the ODI and T20I sides respectively in Bavuma’s absence.

Bavuma was hurt while diving to complete a single in the fourth T20I against India and fell to his left side arm, injuring both soft tissue and bone. He won’t need any surgery and is supposed to require eight weeks to recover and is aiming to return for the World Cup.

The tour will mark the international comeback for Rilee Rossouw.

Rossouw, the 32-year-old batter, played the last of his 51 international games in October 2016 during the T20 World Cup in India. Very recently, he has gotten back to play in South Africa’s domestic setup and was the leading run-scorer in the last season’s provincial T20 tournament, while he is as of now third on the batting chart at the Vitality Blast.

Also Read: India vs Ireland 2nd T20I: India wins by 4 runs!

In the interim, 21-year-old speedy bowler Gerald Coetzee has received his maiden international call-up. Both Rossouw and Coetzee have been included exclusively in the T20I crews. Referring to responsibility management, Kagiso Rabada may be accessible for the T20 games. Right-arm quick bowler Gerald Coetzee procures a maiden T20 call-up.

The T20Is against England and Ireland are the last official  games South Africa are scheduled to play before the T20 World Cup. That squad will see a return for Andile Phehlukwayo, who missed the tour to India, and Aiden Markram, who missed the India series subsequent to contracting Covid-19. Tristan Stubbs, who appeared in India, held his place.

“The T20 format is a high priority for us at the moment, We are looking to give opportunities to players that we are interested in seeing and working out the best combinations, while also trying to balance our desire to maintain enough consistency within the set up that the players are used to playing together as a team by the time they reach Australia for the World Cup.”

 selection convener Victor Mpitsang said in a statement.