ICC World Cup 2015: India v South Africa - 5 player vs player battles to watch out for

India have come into the tournament as the defending champions, but they have never beaten the Proteas in a World Cup match before. In what promises to be a mouth-watering clash at the Holy Grail of cricket - the MCG, the two teams square off tomorrow, with the winner likely to top the group. In terms of star-power and glamour quotient, these two teams would easily lead the World Cup 2015 charts.Gary Kirsten has already set the ball rolling by saying, “In many ways, the batting line-ups of both South Africa and India are very similar. Both these teams are capable of chasing down any score in any part of the world.”  Let us, now, have a look at the battles within the most awaited battle of the season.

#1 Dale Steyn vs Virat Kohli

Dale Steyn vs Virat Kohli – This is the perennial war in all India vs South Africa encounters in recent times and duly tops the list here as well. When they met in Durban in 2013-14, Steyn proclaimed that the Indians were frightened of South Africa’s pace battery. Kohli then took Steyn to the cleaners, making it clear that the Indians were not scared of anyone. Don’t be surprised if another war of words ensues when they meet again this time.

“When I meet Dale Steyn, he gives me the biggest hug, but on the field we will look to dominate each other.” Kohli has let out the war cry. A lot will be at stake when India’s best batsman goes up against the world’s best fast bowler, as both of them can individually turn the match around for their respective teams.