Some are franchise teammates in the Indian Premier League, many are familiar rivals, some are friends, and the majority of them have played against each other multiple times this year.
Team India’s bus lumbered into the venue’s parking space, unifying the scattered crowd that broke into a familiar frenzy as a gust of sea breeze wafted across the Greenfield Stadium, providing fleeting relief from the sweltering afternoon heat.
The players returned the wave, gave a thumbs up, and allowed for a few quick photos. South Africa’s players had just left the arena, exhausted and drowsy, beads of sweat dripping from their brows, after a three-hour practise session from 1pm to 4pm, when the sun was at its hottest.
And we have some guys who need to get some cricket under their belts, and we will look to give them a chance, said captain Temba Bavuma. Any member of the Indian team could easily steal the words and sound just as pertinent ahead of the final stop before the flight to Australia.
