The blockbuster clash between tournament favorites India and formidable South Africa is set for Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. This 37th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 could have a major bearing on the semi-final lineups.
India have already booked their last four spot on the back of seven commanding wins. Their quest now is to finish top of the points table. South Africa meanwhile could seal their own semi-final berth with another win here.
These two cricketing heavyweights have a rich history of competing in major tournaments. India knocked out South Africa in the 2015 World Cup for the first time ever. But the Proteas exacted revenge by ensuring win on 4 out of their last 6 ODI meetings.
With so much at stake for both teams, this promises to be an enthralling contest. India will back their extraordinarily consistent batting and bowling units to continue their juggernaut. South Africa possesses plenty of firepower to challenge India’s supremacy.
The Eden Gardens should witness a fitting spectacle between two top teams in their prime. Having suffered World Cup heartbreak against India before, South Africa will be desperate to flip the script this time. But conquering a dominant Indian team on home soil is a monumental task.
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India Overview
India have looked virtually unstoppable in this World Cup, clinching seven commanding wins to seal a semi-final berth already. Their supremely accomplished batting unit has demolished attacks for fun.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have provided solid platforms regularly. The peerless Virat Kohli is in the form of his life having struck three masterful centuries. Suryakumar Yadav is the most innovative T20-style hitter in ODI cricket today.
India’s bowling too has been top class. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack with his unerring accuracy while Mohammed Shami generates lethal swing. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel have choked runs in the middle overs.
Such is the embarrassment of riches in India’s 15-man squad that they could rotate a couple of players for this game. But expect a full-strength XI as they aim to clinch top spot in the points table.
Playing India in their own backyard is the ultimate challenge for any team today. But South Africa have the personnel to test India’s dominance. If they manage to disrupt India’s rhythm early, an upset could be brewing.
South Africa Overview
South Africa have showcased their champion credentials at this World Cup with six wins in seven matches. The lone defeat came in a shocker against the Netherlands. But since then dominant wins over India, Pakistan and England have reaffirmed their title potential.
Their batting arsenal is loaded with firepower like Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram and David Miller. De Kock and Markram particularly have been posting big runs relentlessly to overwhelm bowling attacks.
The bowling unit has gelled nicely with the pace of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje complemented by the guile of spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. Lungi Ngidi provides vital wicket-taking new ball bursts.
With momentum on their side after thrashing New Zealand, the Proteas appear primed to challenge India’s supremacy. But they cannot afford complacency against awesome opponents on their own patch.
South Africa must target India’s relatively fragile middle order quickly. Their batsmen too will need to successfully counter Ashwin and Bumrah who have bamboozled them before. But if De Kock and Markram get going, South Africa could post a massive total.
India vs. South Africa Starting XI
Expected Starting XI for 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
Expected Starting XI for 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
India could rotate their seamers with Mohammed Siraj likely coming in for Shardul Thakur. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja should retain their spots. South Africa should field the same XI that crushed New Zealand. Their settled batting order led by the dangerous de Kock and Markram will aim for another dominant performance.
The key battle could be between Proteas openers de Kock and Markram against India’s new ball bowlers Bumrah and Shami. Middle overs spinners Yadav and Maharaj too will have pivotal roles to play. This matchup promises to be an enthralling clash between two well-matched teams playing outstanding cricket.
See the confirmed starting lineups below an hour before the match starts.
India vs. South Africa Head-to-Head
India and South Africa are familiar foes, having clashed 90 times in ODI cricket. The Proteas have historically had the upper hand, winning 50 times compared to India’s 37 victories.
However, India have turned the tide in recent years, especially in World Cups. At the 2015 World Cup, India memorably defeated South Africa by 130 runs and in the 2019 World Cup Men in Blue got their second ODI World Cup win by 6 wickets against the Proteas. India also knocked out the Proteas in the Champions Trophy 2017 by 8 wickets.
South Africa’s last bilateral ODI series win in India came way back in 2010. Since then, India have dominated them at home, with series wins in 2015, 2018 and 2022.
But the last time these two teams met in ODI cricket was at the 2022 T20 World Cup where South Africa won by 5 wickets in a low-scoring thriller. So while India have the historical edge at World Cups and home conditions, South Africa cannot be taken lightly given the talent in their ranks.
This World Cup clash promises to be another classic chapter in this iconic ODI rivalry between two cricketing heavyweights.
Weather & Pitch Report
The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata will provide the backdrop for this marquee India vs South Africa World Cup showdown. The weather forecast is excellent for cricket with sunny skies and temperatures around 32 degrees Celcius predicted.
Humidity is expected to be around 60% with minimal chance of rain. The crisp evening conditions should be ideal for this day-night contest.
The Eden Gardens pitch historically favors spinners as the ball grips and spins on the surface. But the new pitch laid for this World Cup has played very well so far.
It has offered true bounce and carry for batting with the ball coming nicely onto the bat. The fast bowlers have also extracted movement early on while spinners get ample turn later.
In the two games here so far, the average first innings score is 275. Teams batting first have won both times after posting scores above 270.
Given the batting firepower of India and South Africa, another high-scoring shootout is likely on the cards. Dew in the evening may hamper bowlers, especially spinners. The team winning the toss should opt to bat first and post an imposing total of around 300.
An entertaining run feast between bat and ball awaits with the conditions and pitch perfectly suited for it.
India vs. South Africa Prediction
This mouthwatering clash is extremely hard to predict given both teams’ stellar form and balanced XIs. India have home advantage and are yet to lose in the World Cup. But South Africa possesses the artillery to challenge India’s supremacy.
India’s extraordinarily consistent batting lineup led by the peerless Virat Kohli appears almost unstoppable currently. Their bowling too has all bases covered with the utility of Hardik Pandya also coming in handy.
But South Africa’s recent dismantling of New Zealand’s potent batting shows they can dominate with bat and ball too. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram’s aggressive bating partnership sets the tone for their batting might.
However, India’s ability to handle pressure situations better gives them an edge along with home conditions familiarity. South Africa’s middle order remains comparatively more fragile against quality spin.
This promises to be an epic akin to their 2015 World Cup classic. But India’s well-rounded squad firing on all cylinders makes them firm favorites to continue their undefeated run. Their greater big match experience should see them over the line in another thriller.
India vs. South Africa Betting Tips
With a high-scoring match likely, consider betting on the first innings score over 300 runs.
Virat Kohli’s phenomenal World Cup form makes him a prime pick for top match run-scorer. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram are also good bets. For top bowler picks, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami could thrive with the new ball. Keshav Maharaj too can deliver big.
Betting on individual batsman milestones like Kohli or de Kock to score 50+ or 75+ runs is recommended. With dew expected, consider betting on the chasing team to win irrespective of who bats first. Given India’s batting firepower, consider betting on India easily chasing over 280 or 300 if they bat second.
South Africa starting as underdogs means betting on them at good odds could give high returns. For a bold punt, bet on South Africa’s maverick batting lineup posting a 350+ or even 400+ first innings total.
You could also bet on this match producing the highest total runs or most sixes of the World Cup. With so much batting talent on show, this promises to be a feast for punters. Backing individual milestones and high totals should pay off well.
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If you want to check out our other Cricket World Cup match predictions, you can find them on our site. In the meantime, you can check out how to bet on the Cricket World Cup.
