World Cup 2023: India look to continue winning run as they face South Africa in top of the table clash in Kolkata
India is all set to take on high-flying South Africa as they look to continue their winning run in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The Men in Blue will take on South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, November 5. India, who sit atop the World Cup 2023 points table with 14 points from the opening seven matches, will lock horns with the Proteas, who have amassed 12 points from seven games. India has gone on to defeat Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, England and Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup.
Meanwhile, South Africa has taken down Sri Lanka, Australia, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand while suffering their only defeat of the tournament, at the hands of the Netherlands. Despite being second on the points table, South Africa boast the best net run-rate in the tournament. South Africa boast a net run-rate of +2.290, while India have a net run-rate of +2.102.
TEAM NEWS
India has been handed a big blow with all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out for the rest of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pandya picked up an ankle injury while bowling against Bangladesh last month. He has been replaced by pacer Prasidh Krishna in India’s 15-member squad.
The Men in Blue are expected to field the same team as they did in their game against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India hammered Sri Lanka by 302 runs to register their biggest win in the history of ODI World Cups. Rohit Sharma has opted for a three-pronged pace attack following Pandya’s injury and his trust in Mohammed Shami has paid off.
The experienced campaigner has picked 14 wickets in three matches in the tournament while becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in the history of ODI World Cups (45 wickets in 14 innings). He is expected to hold on to his spot with Suryakumar Yadav playing as the sixth batting option for India.
As for South Africa, they are also expected to field a similar team from their win against New Zealand. Tabraiz Shamsi is expected to hold onto his spot but could face stiff competition from the experienced Kagiso Rabada for that final bowling spot.
India will have to be wary of South Africa’s explosive middle order featuring Aiden Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. The Proteas have also looked very comfortable batting first while struggling to chase down targets. The only match they lost came while chasing against the Dutch, while also being pushed to the wire in their 271-run chase against Pakistan.
PITCH CONDITIONS
The Eden Gardens has always been a ground that supports the batters. The two matches played at the ground in the ongoing World Cup has thrown balanced encounters, with a little assistance for pacers.
The Netherlands versus Bangladesh match saw Paul van Meekeren and Bas de Leede dominate with the ball. The same was evident in Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh with Mohammad Wasim Junior finding good reverse swing in the latter part of the innings.
SQUADS
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reza Hendricks, Lizaad Williams, Andile Phehlukwayo.