Champions Trophy: Injury hit South Africa take on confident India
Date – 6th June 2013
Time – 3.00 p.m (IST)
India’s batting will be tested against South Africa pace-attack on a double paced wicket. Virat Kohli has been the consistent man and also has a good record against South Africa.
MS Dhoni would have been satisfied with India’s performance as their batting clicked in both the warm-up matches. MS Dhoni would be hoping for his boys to replicate the same performance against the brutal South African side.
The selectors have named quite a few uncapped players for the Champions Trophy who are new to the conditions prevailing in England. Therefore, India will be heavily reliant on MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to deliver the goods. However, Shikhar Dhawan has managed to find form in the second warm-up match, which is a good sign for India. But Dhawan’s partner Murali Vijay hasn’t struck form because he is alien to the swinging conditions in England. So, Virat Kohli has a significant task on hand as both the openers’ form looks patchy. Virat Kohli has also got a good record against South Africa as he was the leading run-scorer for India in South Africa in the year 2010. He is also an excellent player of short-pitched deliveries and, therefore, he’s the right man to handle South Africa’s fast bowlers – Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
Rohit Sharma’s form is under scrutiny as he has failed to perform in the two warm-up matches. Thus, Dinesh Karthik will be the key man for India in the middle order as he has played two admirable innings for India under tremendous pressure. But Suresh Raina hasn’t been in best of form with the bat and, therefore, Dhoni and Kohli’s form will be critical for India. Nevertheless, they have quality fast bowlers who can exploit these types of conditions. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will play an important role as he has the ability to swing the ball both ways. Irfan Pathan, too, will play a critical role for India both with bat and ball. Also, he could be a versatile bowler in death overs as he has the ability to vary his pace and curb the run-flow.
South Africa, on the other hand, have a dominant pace-attack. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have constantly struck with the new-ball and has had the opposition on backfoot. They also have quality batsmen to give their bowlers sufficient amount of runs to defend. AB de Villers and JP Duminy will be critical for South Africa as they are the most experienced players in the squad. JP Duminy, who has recovered from an injury, struck a blazing 141 not out against Netherlands and gained much needed confidence for the Champions Trophy.
Pitch and Conditions
The wicket is expected to aid fast bowlers and therefore it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bat first. The conditions are perfect for a cricket match and there is no possibility of showers.
Team news
India are likely to go in with the same team that played against Australia in the second warm-up match.
South Africa have a few injury concerns. AB de Villers and Dale Steyn are doubtful for the first match due to injuries. If AB de Villers is not fit, then Faf du Plessis is expected to lead the side.
Watch out for:
MS Dhoni – MS Dhoni played a tremendous innings against Australia in the second warm-up match. But he doesn’t have a good record against South Africa. He would know to handle South Africa’s pace-attack as he has played them in the IPL. So if he can deliver for India, then India certainly would have their noses ahead.
JP Duminy – He had an outstanding series in England in September 2012. He also played some fabulous innings for the Brisbane Heats, before getting injured. However, he regained his from in the warm-up match against Netherlands wherein scored a magnificent unbeaten 141 . So, he will hold the key for Proteas in the middle order.
Quotes
I think he has earned his place in the side and we’ll just have to see who misses out when we play against South Africa. I’d like him to play at the top of the order but we’ll see. - Captain Dhoni said on Dinesh Karthik’s form.
“He’s been struggling with a stiff back for some time. We’ll be looking at him overnight and tomorrow morning. He’s one of our key players and we would not like to lose him so we’ll be looking after him very well,” said De Villiers yesterday after the six-wicket defeat. Captain de Villers said on Steyn fitness.