India vs South Africa Preview: India begin campaign against faltering South Africa

The Nightwatchman
Jun 5, 2019
3 min read

India will be looking to start strongly against South Africa

The World Cup began on May 30 with the first game between South Africa and hosts England. Since then, South Africa has lost two matches whilst the Indian fan awaits their opportunity to watch the men in blue play their tournament opener.

After the long build-up, well over a year, the expectations, speculations, hopes, dreams and anticipation, it all comes down to now, to see if India can begin their charge towards a third World Cup title.

One of the tournament favourites, India present a formidable challenge to any team with a highly talented and battle-ready bunch of players who, as skipper Virat Kohli said on match eve, cover all possible flanks with their skill sets. The challenge is to put it all together and harness the considerable ability that the team possesses for the common goal. A World Cup throws up unique challenges – different teams and different conditions in every game, and India will be looking for an emphatic start against the hapless South Africans.

The Ageas Bowl wicket ususally offers runs on a platter and that should make the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul very happy, all who are formidable strokmakers who like to play through the line.

With drizzle falling on Tuesday afternoon as Kohli addressed the media, the forecast is for rolling showers through the match which could change the dynamic of the game, as we saw yesterday with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

South Africa on the other hand have already played twice and lost both games, as well as losing pacer Lungi Ngidi, and then further rocked by the withdrawal of Dale Steyn for the remainder of the World Cup without bowling a ball.

The Proteas are in serious danger of making an early exit from the tournament, and that alone should be enough for them to put everything into this match which is almost a do or die match for them. The only good news is that Hashim Amla has been declared fit to play.

South Africa will take heart from their loss against Pakistan that even though they are not as unpredictable and mercurial as Pakistan are. Cricket, in it’s nature, can throw up a myriad of surprises. With the clouds hovering for most of Tuesday, India may be tempted to play an extra seamer at the expense of a spinner. WATCH OUT FOR - Virat Kohli (And his battle with Kagiso Rabada)

Indian skipper Virat Kohli will be primed for a big performance

Among many of the sub-plots is the mouth-watering contest between Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada. Both are supreme athletes, but Kohli is undoubtedly the best cricketer on the planet right now and will be looking to make his mark on this tournament from the on-set. He may not be as dangerous as those batting above him, but has the substance to withstand pressure and turn a game around, or take the game away, in a session. PREDICTION

India's top-order is vulnerable against swing bowling in overcast conditions but expect them to play safe cricket through the period and post a 300-plus total on Wednesday if they are sent in to bat. South Africa have lost Dale Steyn to an injury and will be without Lungi Ngidi for Wednesday's clash after the pacer suffered a hamstring strain.

The Proteas certainly lack the firepower to overcome India in the latter's opening game but Pakistan taught us the other day that the "favourite" tag counts for nothing in World Cups.

India to win by 20-40 runs, 3-4 wickets STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS Matches: 83 Matches: 4 South Africa: 46 South Africa: 3

India: 34 India: 1

WORLD CUP RECORDS

South Africa

Matches: 57

Won: 35

Lost: 20

Best Result - Semi-Finalists (1992, 1999, 2007, 2011)

India

Matches: 75

Won: 46

Lost: 27

Best Result - Winners (1983, 2011)