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

Quinton de Kock (South Africa): The wicketkeeper/opening batsman is perhaps the most important cog in the Proteas' batting wheel given Hashim Amla is not in the best of form and Faf du Plessis has to handle the pressures of captaincy. The good thing is De Kock is in good form and has done well against India in ODIs. His propensity to score big hundreds could help keep the Indian bowlers at bay. Alex Davidson / Getty Images

Faf du Plessis (South Africa): The captain put behind him his dismissal against England to score a fine fifty against Bangladesh. If he can carry on batting the way he did in the second match, he could put India under a lot of pressure. South Africa might need a big hundred from the gritty top-order batsman. Paul Childs / Reuters

Imran Tahir (South Africa): The leg-spinner is in terrific form with the ball, courtesy the IPL, and has found a way to get into the minds of opposition batsmen lately. Indian batsmen are not the best players of spin any longer, and Tahir could get them into trouble - especially if India are chasing a big total. Tahir's body language and positivity can also boost his teammates' spirits on the field. Matt Dunham / AP Photo

Virat Kohli (India): Despite his up-and-down season in the IPL, Kohli is easily the best batsman in one-day international cricket. He loves the big occasion, too, and will be determined to get his team's campaign off to a positive start with yet another hundred in this format of the game. His enormous self-confidence has often given his teammates the morale boost they sometimes need. Aijaz Rahi / AP Photo

Jasprit Bumrah (India): Much is expected from India's premier fast bowler, who is fast becoming one of the best in the world as well. Bumrah will likely find English conditions helpful in pursuit of wickets, whether it is with the new ball or old. India will need him to do what he does best - get the opposition on the backfoot with quick wickets in the opening spell. Aijaz Rahi / AP Photo

Kuldeep Yadav (India): Whether the Rose Bowl pitch responds to spin or not, Kuldeep's bowling will always be a factor in a limited-overs game. He has done well against South Africa in South Africa, and the Proteas will likely be wary of his ability to trouble their batsmen, who are not the best players of spin - with the exception of De Kock, Du Plessis and Amla. Aijaz Rahi / AP Photo

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.