Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 8: India v South Africa Preview Dream11. IND vs SA Preview Dream11 Prediction

Look who’s arrived to the party!

India, like the common later-comer at social gatherings, have finally arrived and are looking to make the party their own. Unlike the usual late-comer, though, India have caught a glimpse of what has been going on so far in the 2019 World Cup. One little nugget of entertainment was Pakistan’s remarkable win over England on Monday, a stark reminder to all teams that no result is now set in stone in this tournament. Virat Kohli’s men will be out for a great start, but they will have to be aware of the wounded.

The wounded is South Africa. Even more so now that Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the tournament. Incredibly, they will now play their third game against a side playing its first, and they must get it right now. A flat, toothless performance against Bangladesh was one to forget, but the key question is whether the Proteas can discover the 40-50% of intensity they are missing, as described by skipper Faf du Plessis. The late-comer to the party usually looks to make a mark, but in this case, it has to be the previously quiet guest that steps up and takes the spotlight. Can the Proteas kick-start their tournament with a win over one of the tournament favourites?

Also read: #ProteaFire or #ProteaDire? 5 key talking points from South Africa’s loss to Bangladesh

Key to an India win

It seems like an age ago now, but India will want an improvement on what their top order delivered in the Warm-up games. There were a number of shaky moments against New Zealand and Bangladesh, which India will want to rectify right away. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, two terrific white-ball players, will be after some fluency and form, especially as South Africa are without Lungi Ngidi and Dale Steyn. With the great Virat Kohli and in-form KL Rahul and MS Dhoni to follow, a strong platform by the Indians can remind the South Africans of the punishment they took at the hands of Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim on Sunday.

WATCH: Talented Cricket with Sparsh previews India’s clash with South Africa!

Also, one of the best attacks of the tournament comes up against a batting lineup searching for form and identity. Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis remain critical to South Africa’s hopes of a score, which presents an amazing opportunity for India to pounce on. Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s best white-ball bowler, can inflict damage early on, along with either Mohammed Shami or Bhuvneshwar Kumar, both of whom have been impressive at times in the powerplay overs in 2019. With The Rose Bowl pitch aiding batting in the recent England vs Pakistan game, India might want to play their two-wristspinners, who blew South Africa away in 2018. Can India inflict more hurt on South Africa?

Key to a South Africa win

If Pakistan can do it, then South Africa can to.

That has to be the motivation for Faf du Plessis and his men, who were outplayed by a more committed and energetic side on Sunday. Their bowling, their stronger suit, was ordinary for the most part against Bangladesh. Put in a similar effort in the field here and India will punish them, which places onus on Kagiso Rabada to make inroads in the absence of Lungi Ngidi and Dale Steyn. Will Faf du Plessis ensure South Africa maintain a wicket-taking mindset throughout the Indian innings? Can Andile Phehlukwayo continue his impressive start to the tournament? If Chris Morris is persisted with, can he execute yorkers at the death to keep South Africa well in the contest?

Also, each of South Africa’s top six crossed 20 against Bangladesh. However, only Faf du Plessis managed to get past 50. The Proteas batsmen were able to get in, but in a near must-win game, they need significant scores. Indeed, the onus rests on Quinton de Kock (774 runs at 64.50 vs India) and skipper du Plessis, but who else will step up? If Hashim Amla isn’t deemed fit enough to return yet, can Aiden Markram convert beautiful back-foot drives into a substantial score? Can David Miller discover the powerful form fans know he can deliver? In a huge game, plenty rests on the South African batting against a capable Indian attack.

Pitch and conditions

The forecast for Wednesday in Southampton is mostly cloudy. Hopefully the rain should stay away, making for an interesting contest. In relation to the pitch, England smashed 373 on this ground less than a month ago, with Pakistan coming mighty close with 361. The pitch at the Rose Bowl can assist spinners in the second innings.

Possible Playing 11

KL Rahul has surely made the number four spot his own after a century in the Warm-up match against Bangladesh. India have other questions to answer in relation to their XI: Does Vijay Shankar play? Do India play two wrist-spinners? Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be the one to miss out if that’s the case.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul, 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

For South Africa, Dale Steyn is out of the tournament, in a huge blow. Beuran Hendricks has been called into the squad, but either Dwaine Pretorius or Tabraiz Shamsi will play. Also, Lungi Ngidi is expected to be out for a week to 10 days. But, in some good news, Hashim Amla is considered a good chance of playing.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Hashim Amla, 3. Faf du Plessis, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. JP Duminy/Aiden Markram, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Chris Morris, 9. Dwaine Pretorius, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Imran Tahir

Dream11 Prediction

WATCH: Talented Cricket with Sparsh previews India’s clash with South Africa!

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 4, India 1, South Africa 3.
• India won the previous World Cup meeting vs South Africa, with Shikhar Dhawan’s century leading them to a big 130-run win in Melbourne.
• India beat South Africa 5-1 in their last ODI meeting back in 2018.
• Quinton de Kock vs India: 12 matches, 774 runs, average: 64.50, SR: 92.14.
• Virat Kohli scored 558 runs in six innings in their 5-1 win over South Africa last year.

Match Prediction

As Pakistan showed, anything can happen.

South Africa need a lift, and there is no better time to deliver than against one of the World Cup favourites. While I expect South Africa to put on a better showing, the loss of Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi looks to be too much. India have the experience and talent to start off their campaign with a win.

Thanks for reading!

Also, be sure check out my series of “five key talking points” from every CWC 2019 match! The latest:

Afghanistan v Sri Lanka: SL escape in missed opportunity for Afghanistan

England v Pakistan: From embarrassment to ecstasy for Pakistan!

South Africa v Bangladesh: #ProteaFire or #ProteaDire?

Thanks for reading!