All those anticipation regarding this tournament being a straightforward one where the semi finals spots were more or less secured have fallen down. A few upsets have thrown the tournament wide open, and all six teams in each of the two groups are still in the line to make it to the knockout stage even when around half of the Super 12 round is completed.
Some unforeseen results in Super 12 have taken aback everyone around, and have left some top teams compelled to look at other team's results for their own fate in the tournament. In this connection, India will take on South Africa in match 18 of the Super 12 stage. This match is all important not only for India & South Africa, as a win here will ease their way through to the semifinals, but also for Pakistan, whose fortune is very much dependent on the outcome of this match.
As India and South Africa gear up for a mega clash at Perth, let's have a look at the preview of the match.
Overview:
India:
On the back of Virat Kohli's successive half centuries, India has been able to accrue 4 important points so far. But that doesn't testify that India is going smoothly. While the win against the Netherlands was predestined, India was made to go through many difficult phases in their first match against Pakistan, and the result of that match could have very well gone the other way.
Though India's win against Pakistan and other results of the group 2 have pretty much made sure that the Men in Blue will advance to the next round, guard against complacency is requisite. A bad day against the intimidating Proteas at the pacy Perth is a very much possible thing, and this scenario will leave India in a state where they will have to win the remaining both games to keep their fate in their own hands.
Good thing for India is that most of their batters have had at least a good score under their belt, but Lokesh Rahul's form is a cause of concern. Bowling was a perturbing thing for India prior to the start of the tournament, but they have done a great job till now. All the bowling picks have been among wickets, and, except for that Axar Patel over against Pakistan, have bowled at a restrictive economy as well.
Ahead of the tournament Indian captain Rohit Sharma was vocal about changing playing XIs as per the situation and playing conditions. Perth stadium may tempt Indian captain to go with Harshal Patel as an extra pacer for Axar Patel or Ashwin. Abundance of left handed batsmen in the African line up is likely to force Rohit Sharma to drop Axar Patel for the match.
South Africa:
After being content with one point due to rain in their first match against Zimbabwe, it was against Bangladesh at the SCG where South Africa sent out a strong message to the opponents about how they are going to play in this tournament.
The Proteas absolutely smashed the meek Bangladesh with both bat and bowl. Rilee Rossouw, assisted by Quinton De Kock, butchered Bangladeshi bowling attack before Anrich Nortje and co helped South Africa walk away with a massive 104 runs victory. Courtesy this huge win, they have attained such a high run rate that they don't need to worry about it throughout the tournament. Remember, South Africa missed out on playing semifinals in the previous edition due to falling behind Australia on the basis of net run rate.
Apart from captain Temba Bavuma, who is going through a rough patch and seems the only concern, the African team have all of their batsmen relishing a great time with the bat in the last 12 months or so. And on top of that, as is the requirement in this format, they have scored their runs at a brisk strike rate as well.
Given the pacy Perth wicket, South Africa may opt for a pace option in place of Keshav Maharaj or Tabraiz Shamsi. In this case, Marco Jansen may pip Lungi Ngidi as the former is a left arm pacer and Indian batsmen have been failing against that sort of pace bowling in the past.
Probable Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Axar Patel/Harshal Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami
South Africa: Quinton De Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markaram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi/Marco Jansen
Pitch and Weather Report:
The wicket at Perth has been favouring the bowlers. Three matches at this venue so far have only witnessed one half century, and overall batting strike rate is a paltry 104.37 (the worst among all venues used for Super 12 games). The mentioned Strike Rate includes a 18 ball 59 blinder by Marcus Stoinis, otherwise this number could be really pathetic.
Rain has not been the obstacle on this venue, and the spectators can hope for a full match on offer. Win the toss and bat first should be the preferred choice for the captain who finds himself lucky at the flip of the coin.
Match Details:-
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Date & Time: 30th October 2022, 4:30 PM IST & 7 PM Local time
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network & Disney+Hotstar
Interesting facts and Milestones:
- Since 2012, India and South Africa have met each other 6 times in 20 overs/50 overs ICC tournaments, and India have been victorious every time.
- David Miller needs two sixes to become first South African batsman to hit 100 sixes in T20Is.
- If Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls a maiden over, he will go past Jasprit Bumrah to top the chart in terms of maiden overs bowled in T20 Internationals with 10 such overs.
Dream 11 team:
