Cricket World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli's India aim to keep South Africa winless
We break down the group match between India and South Africa at Rose Bowl, Southampton, today
June 5, 2019
What is it?
2019 World Cup group stage match
Who is playing?
South Africa v India
When is it?
Today, 1.30pm (UAE time) start
Where is it being played?
Rose Bowl, Southampton
How to watch in UAE?
Tune in to OSN Sports Cricket HD or create an online account with Wavo for US$54 (a little less than Dh200). The account will provide customers access to two channels, OSN Cric Xtra 1 and OSN Cric Xtra 2.
What’s their head-to-head like?
Matches: 83
South Africa won: 46
India won: 34
No result: 3
Form guide (past five games):
South Africa: LLWWW
India: LLLWW
What they said:
Faf du Plessis, South Africa captain, on the chances of reaching the semi-finals: “[Winning] six games is the target, and there's seven games left. There's no easy games any more in the World Cup. Whether it's winning or losing, the main thing is getting to the semi-finals.”
Virat Kohli, India captain, about starting their campaign relatively late: "I think it is a bit of an advantage, I have to say, in terms of understanding how the games have gone, what the conditions have to offer, what the overcast conditions bring into play when the sun is out."
Likely XIs:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir.
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
Summary:
India finally get their World Cup campaign up and running today as they face a South African side under plenty of pressure. Virat Kohli and his teammates have benefited from the extra days of rest and recuperation after a hectic Indian Premier League season, while Faf du Plessis' men have already lost two matches on the bounce, to England and Bangladesh.
If the Proteas want to reach the semi-finals, they will have to do it without the help of veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn, who had struggled with a shoulder injury being being ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Meanwhile, promising paceman Lungi Ngidi has also been sidelined with a hamstring strain. All this means India, armed with possibly the best top order in limited-overs cricket and a formidable bowling attack, are favourites to win at Rose Bowl.
However, this is the World Cup and pressure can affect the outcome of any given match. Don't rule out a South African side, with their backs to the wall, getting the better of India.
Published: June 5, 2019 09:49 AM
