 After winning their first game quite comfortably by seven wickets against Afghanistan, now India have major job on their hand to beat South Africa and enter the super 8’s of ICC World twenty20 on high note.
The benefit for both the teams is they know each and every player by playing together in IPL. So they know what is the weakness and strongest point of an individual. Both teams has quality spin attack and can prove decisive in today’s game. Last time when these two teams met in world twenty20, India failed to chase 131 runs target on a slow turner at Trent Bridge. So it will be interesting to see what strategy India adapt against South Africa on a slow turner at St. Lucia. Grounds at St Lucia is big, so hitting the sixes will not be easy, the key will be running two’s and three’s to keep scoreboard ticking. South Africa, always strong in big events, always underachieving in them, would like to ensure their place in the next round even before they play their easier match, against Afghanistan. In the world twenty20 clash so far both teams failed to produce a high scoring game and another low scoring encounter on the card and team with tough and aggressive attitude will emerge out as winner in today’s game. It’s going to be cracking encounter between both teams by considering their stature and fire power in batting lineup. Watch out for AB Devielliers: He has failed miserably in IPL 2010, is rated as very dangerous batsman in such short format of the game. His quick footwork’s and ability to play the ball with the soft hand will be crucial for South Africa. Murali Vijay: He is not only a technically correct batsman but can also hit the ball long way and that is good for him as well as India. He plays the ball on his merits and according to situations. He has started this tournament well with superb knock of 48 runs of 46 balls, so he would like to carry his good form throughout. Pitch & Condition As we have seen in the last few games, the wicket at St. Lucia is not an easy wicket where batsman can score freely. Also the grounds are big so any score in excess of 160 will be considered as 180 plus score on other grounds. Team winning the toss is likely to field first because of early start to help there seem bowlers to get early movement from surface. Teams By considering the slow St. Lucia wicket, India would likely to go with same XI that faced against Afghanistan. On the other hand South Africa will like to play both their spinners. In the opening slot they would have to think whether to play H.Gibbs of Loots Bosman. Likely Playing XI for both Teams (Match is Schedule to begin at 19:00 PM India Time) India Squad: Gautam Gambhir, M.Vijay, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, M.S.Dhoni (Captain & WK), Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ravinder Jadeja, Praveen kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra. South Africa Squad: Graeme Smith (Captain), Loots Bosman, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher (WK), Roelof van der Merwe, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt. Stats Both teams have played three games so far. India leads the head-to-head clash by 2-1. In the three games played between these two teams, only India manages to get pass 150 run mark. South Africa have scored 121, 116 and 130 runs in their three outings while India scored 124, 153 and 123 runs. Tags: India v South Africa twenty20 world cup 2010, ICC World twenty20 2010, Watch India v South Africa live scoreboard, India v South Africa twenty20 highlights, South Africa v India twenty20 St Lucia, twenty20 world cup cricket, India v South Africa match timings, cricket 2010, cricket highlights, ICC twenty20 world cup match updates, world twenty20 India v South Africa |
