ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – India vs South Africa Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is India vs South Africa taking place? Wednesday 5th June – 10:30 (UK)
Where is India vs South Africa taking place? Rose Bowl, Southampton
What is the expected weather for India vs South Africa? 17-18c with a small chance of a mid-afternoon shower
What television channel is India vs South Africa on in the UK? Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream India vs South Africa? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for India vs South Africa? https://seatpick.com/2019-icc-cricket-world-cup-south-africa-v-india-tickets/event/70476?aff=zone
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last meeting: India beat South Africa by 8 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
INDIA
Coach: Ravi Shastri
Captain: Virat Kohli
- India play their opening match of the 2019 World Cup and after watching all the other teams play, they will be motivated to make a fast start as they face off against a struggling South African side that has lost their opening two games.
- There is only one real question mark as to how India will line up and that is who will bat at number four with KL Rahul, Rayudu and Shankar all competing for that vacant batting position and the latter may be favoured as he offers an extra bowling option.
- There is every chance they will field two specialist spinners with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal both expected to play along with pace men Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvineshwar Kumar to form a fearsome bowling attack.
SOUTH AFRICA
Coach: Ottis Gibson
Captain: Faf du Plessis
- After losing their opening match against hosts England on the first day of the 2019 World Cup, South Africa were then beaten by Bangladesh on Sunday so their semi-final hopes have diminished significantly even at this early stage and that makes this match with India something of a must-win game.
- They have been dealt a blow by the news that talented young pace bowler Lungi Ngidi is ruled out for seven to ten days with a hamstring problem while veteran Dale Steyn has now been ruled out of the tournament so Beuran Hendricks is named as his replacement in the squad so Hendricks or Dwaine Pretorious will come back into the side.
- The bowling unit has conceded over 300 in both of their matches so far which will be a major concern to Faf du Plessis, so Tabraiz Shamsi could potentially be drafted in while Hashim Amla is also tipped to come back into the team for this crunch match.
THE PREDICTION
All the pressure is on South Africa coming into this game despite being underdogs as their slim hopes of progressing in this World Cup hang in the balance after just two matches. They face an India side that will be raring to get under way, after not playing a single match so far. They will likely have welcomed the slow start after a long IPL for so many of their players, but they will be tuned in and ready go to here. They have a strong recent record against South Africa and with Du Plessis’ men struggling badly with the ball especially, all the signs point towards Virat Kohli’s men making a successful start and compounding South Africa’s miseries.
