West Indies will feel happy going back to a format they are more competitive in, and even if playing T20 cricket might seem a little strange around a month before the ICC 50-over World Cup, the team from the Caribbean will be keen to get one over hosts South Africa.
South Africa, as expected, dominated the Test series, and with a bunch of ODIs coming up after these three T20s, they have expectedly rested the likes of AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, but that should not rob the fans of what promises to be an exciting contest – after all the West Indians never fail to entertain.
"We are generally a happy bunch of boys," said West Indies T20 skipper Darren Sammy. "We are moving forward. There's a new energy and a different calibre of players.
"It's a different format but the contest between bat and ball doesn't change. Whatever form of cricket we get, we can use to get guys in good nick and build the team spirit. We'll be focusing on this T20 series to try to play the brand of cricket that helped us win the cup in 2012."
For South Africa skipper Faf Du Plessis this match and the next couple after that will be about getting into the limited-overs groove, and despite playing at home the T20 captain insisted West Indies will start as the favourites, considering all the high-profile firepower they have in the format.
"They are full of match-winners so it will be really for tough for us but that's how we want it," said Du Plessis. "We want our guys to compete against the best in the world.
"They have got guys who come in and put you under pressure and that's the hardest thing as a captain. When you get a wicket you try and bring the run rate down but with them, it's almost the opposite. They come in and keep playing."
Had the main men been playing for South Africa, they could have at least gone with a similar lineup that we will see in the World Cup, but with the big guns rested, Du Plessis admitted it is also an opportunity for the fringe players to make an impact and get that feel of playing international cricket.
"You can use T20 to prepare for the tournament if you have the same personnel," added Du Plessis. "With us, it's difficult to do that because the core of the team will change
"This is more about guys getting an opportunity to play international cricket because if something is going to happen and we need extra players for the World Cup squad, it will come from the guys that are here."
Where to Watch Live
The 1st T20 international is set for a 6 pm local time (4 pm GMT, 9.30 pm IST) start with live coverage in India on Ten Cricket and Ten HD. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India on Ten Sports Live.
Catch all the Twenty20 action in South Africa on SuperSport, while viewers can live stream the game on SuperSport Online. Viewers in the Caribbean can catch the match on SportsMax.
Sky Sports 2 will telecast the match live in the UK, with viewers can also watch the match via live streaming on Sky Go or Watch Sky Sports. Audience in the United States can watch the game live on Willow TV or Willow TV Online.
