India face South Africa in their upcoming T20 World Cup fixture in Ahmedabad on Saturday. For both sides, it will be a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, which India won. Meanwhile, for Conrad Shukri, it is his first white-ball competition as South Africa's head coach. The 58-year-old feels the co-hosts are favourites to win the match but are under a lot of pressure, which could prove advantageous for the Proteas.
Conrad Shukri speaks during a press conference.
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"There's so much scrutiny, especially in a side like India. They're going to be under a lot of pressure to make the semi-finals and obviously go on and make the finals as well. Hopefully, we can expose them and make them vulnerable under that pressure," he said.
South Africa also toured India last year, where they lost the five-match T20I series 3-1. Claiming that the series has helped his side prepare for the game, he said, "That tour gave us a really good insight as to what we could be up against. That tour prepped us really well in terms of the hostility, the fervour that's being built up around Sunday, where we could have 130,000 people crammed into the stadium, and they're going to be in blue. But Sunday is just one of the few matches that we have to win to get through, and we're as well prepared as we can be."
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"Pressure is a big thing but it's pressure both for us and them. I think we all talk about the pressure of playing against the top side, but we're not quite aware of what the pressures they are under."
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"Pressure is a big thing but it's pressure both for us and them. I think we all talk about the pressure of playing against the top side, but we're not quite aware of what the pressures they are under."
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The Proteas have been in good form in the ongoing tournament and began their campaign with a 57-run victory against Canada, followed by a double Super Over win against Afghanistan. To prove their title contender credentials, they beat New Zealand by seven wickets in their third game, followed by a six-wicket victory in their final group stage game against UAE.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Cricket/‘India under huge pressure, we’ll look to expose that’: Conrad Shukri ahead of IND vs SA T20 World Cup clash
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