INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA @ MCG ON 22ND FEB

INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA @ MCG 

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It will be a full house at the MCG when India take on South Africa in what might just be the biggest Pool B encounter tomorrow.

India registered an emphatic victory against arch-rivals Pakistan last Sunday. The win boosted India's confidence to great heights. Indian batting which seemed out of touch prior to the start of tournament was back in form with half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina and a spectacular century by Virat Kohli. The bowling too was good with Umesh and Shami bowling fast and particularly Ashwin whose turn restricted the Pakistan middle order which in turn was the reason for the fall of wickets. And over the years India's ground-fielding has improved greatly with the likes of Rahane, Kohli, Raina, Dhawan, Jadeja on the field. Indians are now lightning fast in the fields and have accurate throws too. India has a strong middle order and traditionally a strong batting and one of the best finishers in captain MS Dhoni. With the batsmen in form and the bowlers playing their part well, India is all set for Sunday.

South Africa on the other hand did register a win against Zimbabwe, although it was not all that convincing. However, against India one can expect the South Africans showing up with full force. Hashim Amla will be the key to the South African batting. If he can get them to a good start, it will be a good platform for the middle order. The South African middle order boasts of names like David Miller, JP Duminy and a certain AB DeVilliers who is, arguably, the best ODI batsmen today. His wicket will be the key. Their bowling is perhaps the best in World Cricket today. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander bowl fast and bowl with intent. And with Imran Tahir in form, the South Africans have a fully-functioning team.

Umesh Yadav will need to be more consistent with the ball. His 10 overs will be crucial for India. Also, the contest between Dale Steyn and Virat Kohli will be a treat to watch as Kohli is perhaps the only batsman who plays Dale Steyn the best in World Cricket. If its Tahir from South Africa then its Ashwin from India. Ashwin will particularly be pumped up as he is high on confidence after the game against Pakistan and also he is declared fit and ready to go. Dhawan is back in form and Rohit too registered a century in the warm-up. Jadeja did not quite perform up to the mark in the previous game and he might make way for Stuart Binny. Although, India would not want to change their winning combination.

Only time will tell what Playing XIs will the teams come out with. The Toss will be crucial. Teams batting first have gone on to win most of the games in this tournament. A Hundred Thousand people live at MCG and millions from around the world will watch the game with great anticipation as India take on South Africa tomorrow. We have a cracker of a contest lined up.