The two favourites for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 title, co-host India and South Africa will play today in important Group B clash at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
The match has significance importance for both the teams but especially for South Africa as they yet to qualify for the next round and on the other hand India became the first team to book their place in the quarter final spot.
Both teams have mixed tournament so far but India has a slight better competition than South Africa as they yet to taste defeat in the World Cup 2011. South Africa had started well in their World Cup campaign as they beat West Indies convincingly in their opening match but the defeat against England in low scoring encounter was the big setback for the Proteas as they again called Chokers for their batting collapse against England where they lost seven wickets for less than 50 runs.
South Africa cricket team will have the psychological advantage against the Indians as they beat them in the five match one day international series at home by 3-2 just before the start of the World Cup and they will be looking to repeat their performance in India as well.
However, India will enter in to the match as favourites simply because of their home advantage as everyone is sure that the pitch will help the spinners in Nagpur after Dhoni and company failed to defend 338 against England on batting track.
Dhoni has to take major decision on his bowling combination as except for Zaheer Khan, all the other Indian bowlers failed to impress in the World Cup. It is also important to mention here that the tall off spinner R Ashwin still ignored by the Indian skipper despite of consistent failures of spinners Harbhajan and Piyush Chawla on spinning tracks where part time spinner Yuvraj able to dismantle the opponents.
The current form of Virender Sehwag is also a bit of worry for Dhoni as except for the first match against Bangladesh, he failed to score runs against teams like England, Ireland and Netherlands. Gambhir and Kohli also got starts in some matches but they too failed to capitalize and scored big runs.
Smith will be happy with batting forms of current number 1 & 2 in ICC ODI rankings i.e. Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers but the concern for him is his own batting form and their rock in the middle order Jacques Kallis. The secret weapon of Proteas leg spinner Imran Tahir didn’t disappoint his team as he consistently picking up the wickets for them and the positive news about recovery of injury will also boost the team morale.
All in all, it will be a fascinating match to watch where two cricketing giants will take on each other and will try to stamp their authority.
The match has significance importance for both the teams but especially for South Africa as they yet to qualify for the next round and on the other hand India became the first team to book their place in the quarter final spot.
Both teams have mixed tournament so far but India has a slight better competition than South Africa as they yet to taste defeat in the World Cup 2011. South Africa had started well in their World Cup campaign as they beat West Indies convincingly in their opening match but the defeat against England in low scoring encounter was the big setback for the Proteas as they again called Chokers for their batting collapse against England where they lost seven wickets for less than 50 runs.
South Africa cricket team will have the psychological advantage against the Indians as they beat them in the five match one day international series at home by 3-2 just before the start of the World Cup and they will be looking to repeat their performance in India as well.
However, India will enter in to the match as favourites simply because of their home advantage as everyone is sure that the pitch will help the spinners in Nagpur after Dhoni and company failed to defend 338 against England on batting track.
Dhoni has to take major decision on his bowling combination as except for Zaheer Khan, all the other Indian bowlers failed to impress in the World Cup. It is also important to mention here that the tall off spinner R Ashwin still ignored by the Indian skipper despite of consistent failures of spinners Harbhajan and Piyush Chawla on spinning tracks where part time spinner Yuvraj able to dismantle the opponents.
The current form of Virender Sehwag is also a bit of worry for Dhoni as except for the first match against Bangladesh, he failed to score runs against teams like England, Ireland and Netherlands. Gambhir and Kohli also got starts in some matches but they too failed to capitalize and scored big runs.
Smith will be happy with batting forms of current number 1 & 2 in ICC ODI rankings i.e. Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers but the concern for him is his own batting form and their rock in the middle order Jacques Kallis. The secret weapon of Proteas leg spinner Imran Tahir didn’t disappoint his team as he consistently picking up the wickets for them and the positive news about recovery of injury will also boost the team morale.
All in all, it will be a fascinating match to watch where two cricketing giants will take on each other and will try to stamp their authority.
