ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: India vs South Africa Match Preview
Southampton : Cricket World Cup 2019 IND vs SA Match Preview: For the first time ever, Virat Kohli will be leading Team India in the ICC World Cup 2019, carrying hopes of billion Indians against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.
Team India, led by Kohli and mentored by Dhoni, has the potential to generate good results and six wins in nine games would ensure a smooth passage into the semi-finals. The ODI squad has been made with an investment of two years after 2017 Champions Trophy final loss against Pakistan.
Also Read: Where to watch India Vs South Africa World Cup Cricket Live Match
Things are a little difficult for South Africa as senior speedster Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury and has been replaced by left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is also out for at least today’s game with a hamstring strain. Hashim Amla got a nasty hit on the helmet off Jofra Archer’s short ball against England in the opening game.
All geared up - @imVkohli & Co. not willing to take South Africa lightly ahead of World Cup opener #TeamIndia #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/pD6I3YEEVi
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 4, 2019
This could be India's best chance to kick-start the tournament with a win against the injury-hit Proteas.
The pitch at the Ageas Bowl stadium in Southampton, devoid of grass cover, is expected to be a batting-friendly but Kohli will have a few points to ponder upon as the weather forecast on match day indicates cloud cover with intermittent shower.
It will be interesting to see if Virat Kohli will land with seemers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar or go with spinners.
Skipper @imVkohli all set to lead #TeamIndia for the first time in the World Cup #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/ZkuJaCos7h
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 4, 2019
A bit of help from the weather conditions with his scorching pace and ability to move the ball, Rabada could just unsettle the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who haven’t had the best of times during the past few months. Both are capable of turning the match on its head but they could be short on confidence due to lack of runs since the start of the away ODIs against Australia.
India Vs South Africa Teams in Cricket World Cup 2019:
India Team: Virat Kohli (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja
South Africa Team: Faf du Plessis (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, David Miller, Beuran Hendricks , Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pertorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamshi, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Rassie van der Dussen.
