ICC Cricket World Cup Review: India vs South Africa

South Africa got their World Cup campaign back on track, and ended India's unbeaten run in the process, with a dramatic three-wicket win in Nagpur. Sachin Tendulkar, whose knock of 111 was his 48th century in one-day internationals, featured in century partnerships with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir that helped dominate a highly-rated bowling attack early on.

India made the most of winning the toss on an easy-paced pitch as Sehwag and Tendulkar provided an explosive 142-run start off just 17.4 overs. Gambhir continued the good work, adding 125 for the second wicket with Tendulkar.

At 267-1 with more than 10 overs to go and a Batting Powerplay in process, 400 looked a real probability. Yet any ideas of such a score disappeared in a hurry. The rot set in when Tendulkar was caught at backward point for 111 off the bowling of Morne Morkel at the start of the Batting Powerplay.

The Indians lost their last nine wickets for just 29 runs in nine overs and were bowled out for 296. Man of the match Steyn (50-5) played a key role in his team's fightback, bagging his maiden five-wicket haul in one-day internationals.

South Africa lost skipper Smith in the ninth over of their run chase and despite a gritty 61 from Amla and a composed knock of 69 from Kallis, they always appeared to be behind the eight-ball. Their prospects changed thanks to AB de Villiers, who smashed seven boundaries in his 52 off 39 balls before Harbhajan Singh had him caught in the deep during the Batting Powerplay.

The final stages of the match were frantic and exciting. Peterson kept his cool in the company of DuPlessis as South Africa required 13 off the last over to be bowled by Ashish Nehra. Peterson needed just four deliveries out of those six. He inside-edged a slog for four and followed it with a six to long-on to seize the moment. He hit two off the next ball before finishing with another four to cover to silence a packed house.

The South Africans flushed the "choke" word down the toilet with the win and lie third in the table, having played a game less than India and West Indies above them.

The Indians suffered their first defeat of the tournament and had their middle-order batsmen to blame, with skipper MS Dhoni accusing them of playing for the crowd and not for the team.

India play their final match of the Group Stage against the West Indies next Sunday in Chennai.

India: 296 all-out in 48.4 overs (Tendulkar 111, Sehwag 73, Steyn 50-5)

South Africa: 300-7 in 49.4 overs (Kallis 69, Amla 61, Harbhajan 53-3)

Result: South Africa won by 3 wickets.

Man of the Match: Dale Steyn

Cricket, India Vs South Africa, ICC World Cup 2011 live score, SA 183 for 3

Cricket world has a lot to cheer for a tie between India and South Africa. Once the two pre-tournament title favorites clash this weekend no doubt it would be the ‘match of the World Cup’. The waves of such an electrifying match at Nagpur will spread across the subcontinent.

Since the match is expected to be one of the classical episodes of cricket the pressure would be in high tide on both sides. Both teams will focus on a marginal win to keep the momentum ahead rather than getting a ticket for the knock-out round.

However, each side have their own bugs to fix before they mega event turn into the clash among the super eight of the World Cup. MS Dhoni has to pool his head into the bowling department which is yet to fine tune the pace and spin. His counterpart, Grame Smith has been facing a lot of fumble in the batting line-up.

So the match between almost equal powers will bring much fire to the middle of the ground which is known as the paradise of batsmen. India can boast with a so-called batting order, yet to test their mettle against big ones, while bowling and fielding faces a lot of questions.

None other than Zaheer could rise into the expectations at the right time so far. Harbajan and Chawla have been much off the mark while Munaf and Nehra made no sparks of courage to win a match. Replacement of Chawla with Ashwin is the most wanted change to make the bowling squad more furious.

South African camp has jumped to trouble after a shocking defeat to England and likely to bring certain changes for Imran Tahir and AB de Villiers. However, cricket fans can expect a week end feast when two top ranked teams clash for a decisive victory.

India:
Virender Sehwag b du Plessis 73
Sachin Tendulkar c Duminy b Morkel 111
Gautam Gambhir c Kallis b Steyn 69
Yusuf Pathan c Smith b Steyn 0
Yuvraj Singh c Botha b Kallis 12
MS Dhoni not out 12
Virat Kohli c & b Peterson 1
Harbhajan Singh b Steyn 3
Zaheer Khan c Morkel b Peterson 0
Ashish Nehra c Smith b Steyn 0
Munaf Patel b Steyn 0

Extras: (lb 2, w 12, nb 1) 15
Total: (all out; 48.4 overs) 296

Fall of wickets: 1-142 (Sehwag, 17.4 overs), 2-267 (Tendulkar, 39.4), 3-268 (Gambhir, 40.1), 4-268 (Pathan, 40.3), 5-283 (Yuvraj Singh, 42.6), 6-286 (Kohli, 43.6), 7-293 (Harbhajan Singh, 46.5), 8-294 (Khan, 47.4), 9-296 (Nehra, 48.3), 10-296 (Patel, 48.4)

Bowling:
Dale Steyn 9.4-0-50-5
Morne Morkel 7-0-59-1
Jacques Kallis 8-0-43-1
Robin Peterson 9-0-52-2
JP Duminy 3-0-29-0
Johan Botha 9-0-39-0
Faf du Plessis 3-0-22-1

Toss: India, who chose to bat
Umpires: Ian Gould (England) and Simon Taufel (Australia)
TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (West Indies)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

ICC World Cup 2011: India vs South Africa live cricket score, Ind 297, SA 37

Indian bowlers are making South African batsmen struggle for every single run. Indian score was around 87 runs after 0 overs, while South African score after eight overs is just about 37 runs, just about four and half runs per over.

India’s lead bowler Zaheer Khan has given just 9 runs off four overs he has bowled while Nehra has given 27 runs off the same number of runs. so while Zaheer is restricting the runs, Nehra is leaking runs generously like always.

Hashim Amla has faced 22 balls and has scored 24 runs so far while Graeme Smith has scored 22 balls.

India earlier squandered opportunities after opportunities when they failed to come up with huge total. The team at one point was 267 runs for the loss of one wicket and could manage just 297 runs and all its wickets were taken.

India vs South Africa live - stream Cricket World Cup 2011

More than 20 million watch Americans India vs South Africa have multiple ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Social Security numbers online (SSNs) associated score with their highlights name in commercial records according to a new study announced in December from ID Analytics, Inc. The study found that rather than serving as a unique identifier, more than 40 million SSNs are associated with multiple people.

6.1 percent of Americans have at least two SSNs associated with their name. More than 100,000 Americans have five or more SSNs associated with their name.

Dr. Stephen Coggeshall, chief technology officer, at ID Analytics said. “Most of these cases of duplication are likely due to simple data entry errors as opposed to deliberate falsification. Nevertheless, organizations expose themselves and their customers to risk if they solely rely on the SSN to verify an individual.”

India vs South Africa

Watch Cricket World Cup 2011 online live - stream here

Ind vs SA: India lose Sehwag after fiery start

Virender Sehwag edged a Faf du Plessis delivery onto his stumps as India lost their first wicket with 142 runs on the board in their World Cup clash at the VCA stadium in Nagpur on Saturday.

Scorecard | In Pics: Colourful fans in Orange city

Sehwag hit 12 fours in his swashbuckling knock of 73 off 66 balls.

Sehwag's 44-ball half-century and Sachin Tendulkar's 33-ball fifty gave India a start to dream off.

Tendulkar's 94th ODI fifty was studded with five fours and a six. One four by Tendulkar that stood out was a straight drive that went just under the bowler Morne Morkel.

Sehwag and Tendulkar brought up the Indian 100 in 11.4 overs.

Sehwag's 37th ODI fifty was studded with 10 hits to the fence.

With a fiery start, Sehwag and Tendulkar took India to 87/0 in 10 overs.

This is the highest score so far in the mandatory batting Powerplay in this World Cup and it consisted of 12 fours and a six. That six was hit by Tendulkar off Dale Steyn as the Master rocked on the back foot and hooked the ball over fine leg - a shot he brought out of his repertoire after many years.

Sehwag and Tendulkar brought up the Indian 50 in the seventh over.

Sehwag started from the word go hitting the first delivery of the match from Steyn to the mid-wicket fence. Thus Sehwag has started his five World Cup innings so far by slamming boundaries off the very first ball he faced in each innings.

Earlier, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat.

India have brought in Munaf Patel in place of Piyush Chawla and South Africa have replaced the injured Imran Tahir by Johan Botha.

South African captain Graeme Smith said he would have batted as well but now they would look to restrict India. He added that the atmosphere is thrilling and they would like to play well.

Dhoni said the wicket is good for batting but also added it has to offer something for the fast bowlers as well. He added it's good to be unbeaten but that's history and they would take confidence from it and look to carry momentum.

Jamtha is a very impressive cricket ground, outfield is lush green but the base is quite hard and the ball will travel quickly. The dimensions of the ground are such, that lots of cuts and pulls are expected in the game. Regarding the playing area, it's a very good surface, hard, well rolled in but not enough dry patches to assist spinners and last for the entire 100 overs.

It is pretty warm out there with temperature expected to touch 37 degrees Celsius.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (Capt.), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne van Wyk, Robin Peterson, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.

ICC Cricket World Cup : India make 197 for one in first 30 overs against South Africa

India made 197 for one in the first 30 of their allotted 50 overs against South Africa in Group B of the World Cup here today.

Opener Sachin Tendulkar (84) and left-hander Gautam Gambhir (28) were at the crease.

Opener Virender Sehwag was the only Indian batsman to fall, making 73 off 66 balls with the help of 12 fours and putting on 142 for the first wicket with Tendulkar in 17.4 overs. It was du Plessis who finally got the breakthrough for the South Africans, as the batsman got a thin edge that went on to the leg stump.

Earlier, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that he hoped would help the batsmen after the first few overs.

The Indians, who are unbeaten so far in Group B, made one change, bringing in pace bowler and leaving spinner Piyush Chawla out from the side that played against the Netherlands in their last outing.

The South Africans brought in Johan Botha in place of Imran Tahir, who fractured his thumb in their last match against England.

Sehwag began the innings in his usual style, lofting the ball from Dale Steyn over mid-on for another first-ball four, much to the delight of the huge crowd at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium.

In the next over, Morne Morkel swung one away from Sehwag and the batsman edged the ball to the fence, only slightly away from wicket-keeper van Wyk, who barely managed to move.

India got 14 runs in the third over, including four from on overthrow by Botha, with Morkel failing to back up properly at the bowler's end. In the same over, Sehwag lifted the ball off his hips to fine leg for a superb one-bounce four. Five wides came off the next delivery, with van Wyk getting no chance to get to the ball.

Sehwag was slowly getting into his stride, and he despatched Steyen wide of third man for another one-bounce four. India were 33 at the end of the first five overs, with Sehwag on 17 and Tendulkar on 10.

In the next over, Sehwag hit Morkel for three fours, the first a back-foot shot through the covers, the second straight past the bowler and the third wide of third man.

Steyn, who had conceded 24 runs in his first three overs, was replaced by Kallis and Sehwag pulled one from him to the fence to bring up the 50 of the Indian innings in 6.4 overs. Tendulkar also helped himself to a four to short fine-leg in the same over.

There appeared to be no stopping the India openers now, as they helped themselves to 13 runs in the next over from Morkel. First, Sehwag drove him past mid-on, and then Tendulkar sent the ball crashing through the covers and then straight past the bowler for two consecutive fours.

The two batsmen also kept collecting singles and twos, and managed seven in this fashion in the next over from Kallis.

Steyn was brought back from the other end, and Tendulkar pulled him over deep backward square leg for six, a powerful and well-timed shot that sent the ball flying flat over the boundary.

As India piled up 87 for no loss in the first ten overs, they also earned the distinction of making the highest score in the mandatory powerplay in this World Cup, beating their own performance against Netherlands.

Tendulkar blasted a slower one from Kallis past mid-on for a four, and, at the other end, Sehwag lofted one from left-arm spinner Robin Peterson over cover for four to get to his half-century off 44 balls. Sehwag then came up with a a superb square drive off Duminy for four. In the next over, Tendulkar stepped out and on-drove Peterson for another boundary.

In the same over, Tendulkar took a single off Peterson to get to his half-century. He celebrated by lifting Duminy over long-on for another six. At the other end, Sehwag lifted Peterson over cover for four. In Botha's next over, Sehwag got another chance, with wicket-keeper van Wyk again failing to get to a thick edge that was a bit wide of him.

Sehwag finally left in the next over, when du Plessis sent down a faster and flatter one, and the batsman got a thin edge that took both bails off. India were 142 for one in 17.4 overs. Sehwag's 73 came off 66 balls and included 12 fours.

The left-handed Gambhir, who replaced Sehwag in the middle, came down the track and lifted Botha over cover for a four, a perfectly timed and placed shot. Tendulkar took a single off du Plessis to bring up the 150 of the innings in 19.1 overs.

The departure of Sehwag certainly slowed down the Indian innings, and Botha and Peterson did not allow Tendulkar and Gambhir too many liberties. At the half-way mark, India were 174 for one, the previous five overs just producing 19 runs.

The next five overs produced only 23 more runs, though Tendulkar showed some signs of trying to break the shackles, sending Peterson sailing over long-on for his third six.

Ind vs SA: Sachin, Sehwag gives flying start to India

Indian opener Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag provided flying start to India against South Africa. Sehwag and Tendulkar scored fifty to take India past 100 quickly.

Ind vs SA: Live scorecard

Indian skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa here at Vidarbha Cricket Association ground, Jamtha in Nagpur on Saturday.

This is the first major test for India in this World Cup. They are remained unconquered in the prestigious tournament with three wins and a dramatic tie against England. South Africa lost last game against England after impressive start.

India vs South Africa: Live commentary

Both  the teams have made just one change in their side. India has been playing with three seamers, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel. There is no place for Piyush Chawla in the final XI. South Africa has dropped injured Imran Tahir. Johan Botha replaced him in the side.

Teams:

Ind: Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel

SA: Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jaques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, MN van Wyk, Robin Peterson, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn

India vs South Africa live - stream ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

More than 20 million watch Americans India vs South Africa have multiple ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Social Security numbers online (SSNs) associated score with their highlights name in commercial records according to a new study announced in December from ID Analytics, Inc. The study found that rather than serving as a unique identifier, more than 40 million SSNs are associated with multiple people.

6.1 percent of Americans have at least two SSNs associated with their name. More than 100,000 Americans have five or more SSNs associated with their name.

Dr. Stephen Coggeshall, chief technology officer, at ID Analytics said. “Most of these cases of duplication are likely due to simple data entry errors as opposed to deliberate falsification. Nevertheless, organizations expose themselves and their customers to risk if they solely rely on the SSN to verify an individual.”

India vs South Africa ID Analytics analyzed 290 million Social Security numbers, and found that 1 in 7 are associated with more than one name. Anywhere from 3-4 million names are directly used to commit fraud.

MSNBC reported the same study showed 140,000 SSNs are connected to 5 or more people and 27,000 SSNs are connected to 10 or more people.

Some of these secondary SSNs are the result of typos where an administrator may incorrectly enter a digit and then that secondary SSN is now connected to a person’s credit going forward.

In other cases it is deliberate fraud. When the same person is shown using multiple Social Security numbers on purpose then a flag is raised.

Consumers often find out their SSN is compromised as a result of being denied credit or when bill collectors call them for non payment.

India vs South Africa World Cup Cricket Match : ´Dum Maro Dum´ During Interval

Cricket clearly seems to be the overwhelming flavour of the season as producers of the music of upcoming flick 'Dum Maaro Dum' have decided to launch the soundtrack during the interval of the India-South Africa clash at Nagpur.

The music will be launched in between the two innings, within the stadium.

“In Nagpur! India vs South Africa! D whole 'Dum Maaro Dum' team is here! 2 launch our music at the stadium between the innings! Exciting day ahead!,” actor Bipasha Basu tweeted.

Directed by Rohan Sippy, the film ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ features B-town stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Aditya Pancholi and Deepika Padukone.

Popular music director Pritam has composed music for this movie.

The film is expected to hit the silver screen on Apr 22, 2011.

Ind vs SA: India off to a flying start against South Africa in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar brought up the Indian 50 in the seventh over in their World Cup clash at the VCA stadium in Nagpur on Saturday.

Sehwag started from the word go hitting the first delivery of the match from Dale Steyn to the mid-wicket fence. Thus Sehwag has started his five World Cup innings so far by slamming boundaries off the very first ball he faced in each innings.

Earlier, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat.

India have brought in Munaf Patel in place of Piyush Chawla and South Africa have replaced the injured Imran Tahir by Johan Botha.

South African captain Graeme Smith said he would have batted as well but now they would look to restrict India. He added that the atmosphere is thrilling and they would like to play well.

Dhoni said the wicket is good for batting but also added it has to offer something for the fast bowlers as well. He added it's good to be unbeaten but that's history and they would take confidence from it and look to carry momentum.

Jamtha is a very impressive cricket ground, outfield is lush green but the base is quite hard and the ball will travel quickly. The dimensions of the ground are such, that lots of cuts and pulls are expected in the game. Regarding the playing area, it's a very good surface, hard, well rolled in but not enough dry patches to assist spinners and last for the entire 100 overs.

It is pretty warm out there with temperature expected to touch 37 degrees Celsius.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (Capt.), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne van Wyk, Robin Peterson, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.

India vs South Africa: Live commentary

It will be a real test for two favourites of the World Cup 2011 here at Vidarbha Cricket Association ground, Jamtha, Nagpur on Saturday.

The two giants of Group ‘B’, India and South Africa will face each other first time in this world cup to strengthen the claim for the coveted trophy.

Ind vs SA: Live scorecard

The day/night encounter between India vs South Africa will also set the course of supremacy in the group and forthcoming matches.
Both the sides are in top form and playing good cricket for the couple of years. The ‘Big Show’ of World Cup is evenly poised.
‘Men in Blue’ are at top in the Group and they will try to continue their winning momentum. On the other hand, South Africa are eager to take revenge of narrowly defeat against England from India to shut the mouths of critics, who claim Proteas are remained chokers.
Anything can be happened in today’s match. Will South African pace battery derail ‘Batting Giant’ India before home crowd?
To know detailed analysis and stats of this clash, stay tuned with us. We will bring ball to ball commentary of Ind vs SA and live scorecard

• 15:47 : 14.2, Duminy to Sehwag, 1 run, drives it to extra cover for easy single.
• 15:46 : 14.1, Duminy to Sachin, 1 run, pushed it for single
• 15:45 : Deepika to perform after first innings
• 15:45 : Bollywood fraternity turn out to watch this match. Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasa basu are here
• 15:41 : End of over 14 (8 runs) India 119/0 (RR: 8.50) Sehwag 60* (52b 11x4) Peterson 2-0-16-0 Tendulkar 50* (33b 5x4 1x6) Duminy 1-0-10-0
• 15:40 : 13.6, Peterson to Sehwag, 1 run, pushed it to mid-off
• 15:40 : 13.5, Peterson to Sehwag, no run, defends it.
• 15:40 : 13.4, Peterson to Tendulkar, 1 run, fifty up for Sachin. 94th Fity for him, just clipped it to fine leg
• 15:38 : 13.3, Peterson to Tendulkar, no run, huge shout for LBW, umpire unmoved, Proteas go for unsuccessful review.
• 15:37 : 13.2 Peterson to Tendulkar, 2 runs, played in the air and tough chance dropped by de Villiers.
• 15:36 : 13.1 Peterson to Tendulkar, FOUR , down the track and played it to long-on boundary
• 15:35 : End of over 13 (10 runs) India 111/0 (RR: 8.53) SR Tendulkar 43* (29b 4x4 1x6) JP Duminy 1-0-10-0 V Sehwag 59* (50b 11x4) RJ Peterson 1-0-8-0
• 15:35 : 12.6 Duminy to Tendulkar, 1 run, flicked off the front foot through square once again
• 15:35 : 12.5, Duminy to Sehwag, 1 run, another single
• 15:34 : 12.4, Duminy to Tendulkar, 1 run, single form the onside
• 15:34 : 12.3, Duminy to Sehwag, 1 run, single towards for long-off
• 15:33 : 12.2, Duminy to Sehwag, 2 runs, couple down the thirdman
• 15:33 : 12.1, Duminy to Sehwag, FOUR, smashed it over the point for four
• 15:33 : JP Duminy into the attack
• 15:32 : End of over 12 (8 runs) India 101/0 (RR: 8.41) SR Tendulkar 41* (27b 4x4 1x6) RJ Peterson 1-0-8-0 Sehwag 51* (46b 10x4) Kallis 3-0-24-0
• 15:31 : 11.6, Peterson to Tendulkar, no run defended back to bowler.
• 15:30 : 11.6, Peterson to Tendulkar, WIDE, down the leg
• 15:30 : 11.5, Peterson to Tendulkar, defends it to offside.
• 15:30 : 11.4, Peterson to Sehwag, 1 run sigle down the mid-on
• 15:29 : 11.3, Peterson to Sehwag, no run, pushed it to short square leg
• 15:28 : 11.3, Peterson to Sehwag, Wide, down the leg
• 15:28 : 11.2, Peterson to Sehwag, FOUR, thats the beautiful shot, makes the room and played inside out. 50 up for Sehwag. 37th ODI fifty
• 15:27 : 11.1, Peterson to Tendulkar, 1 run, jumps out of the crease, and drives it to long-off.
• 15:26 : Spin to operate for the first time. Robin Peterson
• 15:26 : End of over 11 (6 runs) India 93/0 (RR: 8.45) Sehwag 46* (43b 9x4) Kallis 3-0-24-0 Tendulkar 40* (24b 4x4 1x6) Steyn 4-0-34-0
• 15:25 : End of over 11 (6 runs) India 93/0 (RR: 8.45) Sehwag 46* (43b 9x4) Kallis 3-0-24-0 Tendulkar 40* (24b 4x4 1x6) Steyn 4-0-34-0
• 15:24 : 10.6, Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, defends it to legside. India has scored highest 87 runs in the mandatory powerplay.
• 15:24 : 10.5, Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, shot delivery, Sehwag duck it
• 15:23 : 10.4, Kallis to Tendulkar, 1 run, backfoot punch towards the deep extra cover.
• 15:23 : 10.3, Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, defends it to offside.
• 15:22 : 10.3, Kallis to Tendulkar, Wide, down the leg.
• 15:22 : 10.2, Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR, brilliant shot through the midwicket.
• 15:21 : 10.1, Kallis to Sachin, no run, flicked staright to the fielder.
• 15:21 : End of over 10 (10 runs) India 87/0 (RR: 8.70) SR Tendulkar 35* (20b 3x4 1x6) DW Steyn 4-0-34-0 V Sehwag 46* (41b 9x4) JH Kallis 2-0-18-0
• 15:20 : 9.6, Steyn to Tendulkar, 3 runs, om the pads and he flicked it away for easy three.
• 15:19 : 9.5, Steyn to Tendulkar, no run, waqtchful Sachin defends back to bowler. This is the highest total for India in mandatory powerplay.
• 15:18 : 9.4, Steyn to Tendulkar, no run, slower one. good change of pace. he just defends it.
• 15:17 : 9.3, Steyn to Tendulkar, SIX, Great shot, After long time Sachin played this shot. Short delivery and he pulled it over the square leg boundary.
• 15:17 : 9.2, Steyn to Tendulkar, no run, defended back to bowler.
• 15:16 : 9.1, Steyn to Sehwag, 1 run, starts with the slower one, Sehwag dabs it down the thirdman.
• 15:15 : Steyn back into the attack
• 15:14 : 8.6, Kallis to Sehwag, 1 run, another single down the thirdman.
• 15:14 : 8.5, Kallis to Tendulkar, 1 run, another overthrow, Tendulkar defeends it to mid-on.
• 15:13 : 8.4, Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, short delivery, Sachin leaves it for keeper.
• 15:12 : 8.3, Kallis to Sehwag, 1 run, cuts down the thirdman for single.
• 15:12 : 8.2, Kallis to Tendulkar, 3 runs, aha, nice to watch, just placed it with open face of the bat towards point.
• 15:11 : 8.1, Kallis to Sehwag, 1 run, single down the thirdman.
• 15:10 : 7.6, Morkel to Tendulkar, FOUR, Trademark straight drive, no one can describe it in Words. superb shot. Classical shot...
• 15:09 : 7.5, Morkel to Tendulkar, FOUR, cracking cover drive, played in the air but far from the fielder.
• 15:08 : 7.4, Morkel to Tendulkar, no run, defends it to midwicket.
• 15:07 : 7.3, Morkel to Sehwag, 1 run, again played straigh but this time find the fielder at mid-off.
• 15:06 : 7.2, Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, great shot, straight down the ground, Splendid contest between the ball and bat. Sehwag at his best.
• 15:06 : 7.1, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, backfoot defence on the track.
• 15:05 : End of over 7 (11 runs) India 57/0 (RR: 8.14) Tendulkar 14* (9b 1x4) Kallis 1-0-11-0 Sehwag 37* (34b 8x4) Morkel 3-0-22-0
• 15:05 : 6.6, Kallis to Tendulkar, FOUR this time from Master Blaster, Moved towards the off stump and pulled it down the fine leg for four.
• 15:03 : 6.5, Kallis to Sehwag, 1 run, cuts down the thirdman for an easy single.
• 15:03 : 6.4, Kallis to Sehwag, FOUR, short delivery, Sehwag pulled away in the air but lands safely to reach the boudary.
• 15:02 : 6.3, Kallis to Sehwag, no run, defended back to mid-on
• 15:01 : 6.2, Kallis to Sehwag, 2 runs, flicked it towards the midwicket.
• 15:01 : 6.1, Kallis tio Sehwag, No run played it to mid-on. Superb start for India.
• 15:00 : Jacques Kallis into the attack
• 15:00 : End of over 6 (13 runs) India 46/0 (RR: 7.66) Sehwag 30* (29b 7x4) Morkel 3-0-22-0 Tendulkar 10* (8b) Steyn 3-0-24-0
• 14:59 : 5.6, Morkel to Sehwag, run, played in the air but safe.single down the deep point. Good over for India.
• 14:58 : 5.5, Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, Third boundary of the over, room offered outside off and he hammered it through the gully boundary.
• 14:57 : 5.4, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, solid defence towards the offside.
• 14:57 : 5.3, Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, brilliant straight drive. Two from the over. Brilliant cricket at this moment
• 14:56 : 5.2, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, good comeback delivery. Passed the outside edge.
• 14:56 : 5.1, Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR run, great short through the covers, there is no move from any fielders.
• 14:55 : End of over 5 (6 runs) India 33/0 (RR: 6.60) Tendulkar 10* (8b) Steyn 3-0-24-0 Sehwag 17* (23b 4x4) Morkel 2-0-9-0
• 14:54 : 4.6, Steyn to Tendulkar, no run, Short delivery but didn't bounce. Tendulkar leaves it.
• 14:54 : 4.5, Steyn to Sehwag, 1 run, nicely played, on the pads and he flicked away for deep square leg.
• 14:53 : 4.4, Steyn to Sehwag, nor, short again but not too much bounce, Shewag leaves it.
• 14:52 : 4.3, Steyn to Sehwag, FOUR, The UPPER cut, Favourite shot over the thirdman, He slashed the rising delivery for four.
• 14:51 : 4.2, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, solid defends towards the mid-off.
• 14:51 : 4.1, Steyn to Tendulkar, 1 run, nicely worked it with the square leg, But just for single.
• 14:50 : End of over 4 (4 runs) India 27/0 (RR: 6.75) V Sehwag 12* (19b 3x4) M Morkel 2-0-9-0 SR Tendulkar 9* (6b) DW Steyn 2-0-18-0
• 14:50 : 3.6, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, pitched outside off, defends it with open face of the bat.
• 14:49 : 3.5, Morkel to Sehwag, No run, once again backfoot defends into the mid-off. This is good start for Men in Blue
• 14:48 : 3.4, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, just pushed it to man at mid-off.
• 14:48 : 3.3, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, Sehwag leaves it for keeper.
• 14:48 : 3.2, Morkel to Tendulkar, 1 run, short delivery, miscued just one run.
• 14:47 : 3.2, Morkel to Tendulkar, 2 NO Ball, played it to backward point region, This is free hit too
• 14:46 : Sehwag has scored four runs in very first ball in this World Cup
• 14:45 : 3.1, Morkel to Tendulkar, no run, tucked it to man at short square leg.
• 14:45 : End of over 3 (14 runs) India 23/0 (RR: 7.66) V Sehwag 12* (15b 3x4) DW Steyn 2-0-18-0 SR Tendulkar 6* (3b) M Morkel 1-0-5-0
• 14:45 : 2.6, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, Huge shout fr LBW. Umoire unmoved, Might be inside edge there. No review taken.
• 14:44 : 2.5, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, defends it to offside
• 14:44 : 2.5, Steyn to Sehwag, 4wides, down the leg side,keepr misses too.
• 14:43 : 2.4, Steyn to Sehwag, FOUR, cracking shot over the midwicket
• 14:42 : 2.3, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, defends it
• 14:42 : 2.2, Steyn to Tendulkar, 5 runs, risky single and over throw. Direct hit could land Tendulkar in trouble
• 14:40 : 2.1, Steyn to Tendulkar, no run, defends it to onside
• 14:40 : It is now contest between Steyn and Tendulkar
• 14:39 : 1.6, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, struck well but straight to short cover. Four from the over.
• 14:38 : 1.5, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, Sehwag shoulders his arms and leaves it for keeper.
• 14:38 : 1.4, Morkel to Sehwag, no run, beautiful delivery, there is hint of early swing, no shot offered.
• 14:37 : 1.3, Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, lucky boundary, thick outside edge race down the thirdman boundary between the keeper and slip. Keeper should go for it
• 14:36 : 1.2, Morkel to Tendulkar, no run, shourt and rising delivery, outside off, watchful Sehwag offered no shot to it.
• 14:35 : 1.1, Morkel to Tendulkar, 1 run, brilliant drive but again good fielding by Botha at the covers.
• 14:35 : Sachin to face first delivery of this match
• 14:35 : End of over 1 (4 runs) India 4/0 (RR: 4.00) V Sehwag 4* (6b 1x4) DW Steyn 1-0-4-0 SR Tendulkar 0* (0b)
• 14:34 : 0.6, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, good ball to finish, missed the outside edge.
• 14:33 : 0.5, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, superb drive bur brilliant fielding by Botha at cover. Certain boundary saved.
• 14:33 : 0.4, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, well bowled. the lenght is very giid since first boundary. Sehwag offered no shot on it.
• 14:32 : 0.3, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, Oops! missed the offstump. beautifulo delivery.
• 14:31 : 0.2, Steyn to Sehwag, no run, huge shout for LBW, umpire unmoved. Good comeback by Steyn after conceeding boundary.
• 14:31 : 0.1, Steyn to Sehwag, FOUR, Sehwag starts in style. Lofted it over the midwicket. it was slightly over-pitched.
• 14:29 : Dale Steyn to start proceedings for South Africa
• 14:27 : Sachin-Sehwag walk down in the middle...
• 14:26 : Huge excitement after India's national anthem.
• 14:23 : Here we go for National anthem. South Africa first
• 14:22 : It is jam packed stadium here for "Big Match"
• 14:22 : Both teams are lined up for national anthem
• 14:04 : Both the teams have made just one change in the side. Piyush Chawla is dropped. For South Africa, There is no Imran Tahir, Johan Botha is in.
• 14:01 : India won the toss and elected to bat first. It seems half task is done for India.
• 13:57 : Stay tuned with us for Toss
• 13:55 : Sourav Ganguly, Pitch report-Its looked very good surface. its dry, hard and well rolled wicket. However, it will not be remain same till 100 overs. The should bat first after winning the toss.
• 13:51 : Who will be most successful spinner for India Yuvraj or Harbhajan?
• 13:46 : Today's match will also decide which team will finish top in the 'Group B'.
• 13:34 : Match scheduled to begin at 14:30 local time and Toss will be held at 14.00 hrs.
• 13:33 : Share your choice between Piyush Chawla and R Ashwin. Post your choice as a comment here below
• 13:24 : Dhoni Says, "Openers will have to give good start for India's cause
• 13:23 : South Africa has won two privious game against Indian in the World Cup
• 13:08 : But the question is remained unanswered: Will South Africa attack with an extra bowler? Will India play an extra spinner?
• 13:07 : South African skipper Smith: "I don't think this is the be all and end all of the World Cup. This part is about qualifying and then going into the knockouts with some confidence. I hope it is another really good game for the World Cup.."
• 13:07 : Indian Skipper Dhoni: "If I have two bowlers who are giving 70 runs from 20 overs, I would be quite happy with them even if they don't take wickets because ultimately the pressure turns on the batsmen to score runs in today's format ... Harbhajan is doing
• 13:05 : South Africa will try to remove the Chokers tag with a huge victory against India.
• 13:05 : South Africa has started the World Cup campaign in style but just one loss makes crtics to call them chokers.
• 13:04 : For India, Sehwag and Sachin will have to lead from the front whereas Hasim Amla and de Villiers are big threat for Indian bowlers
• 13:03 : However, it is also expected to be a high scoring match as the ball will come into the bat perfectly and there will be no seam movement in the track
• 13:02 : South Africa is expected to play with four seamers, Dale Styen, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Jcques Kallis
• 13:01 : The Nagpur pitch is expected to produce bounce for the seamers.
• 12:59 : In such condition, the effect of toss will be minimal.
• 12:59 : The track at VCA ground will be hot and dry and dew is not expected to be a factor.
• 12:49 : The India vs South Africa game will also decide their fortunes in the Knockout round
• 12:49 : Today's match will be test for Indian bowlers and South African batsmen
• 12:48 : Both the teams are playing brilliant cricket and are among top three teams in ODI rankings
• 12:47 : For the first time India will face one of the toughest opponent
• 12:47 : Welcome to the live commentary of India vs South Africa match of Group B.

India vs SA ICC Cricket World Cup: Intriguing battles, exciting contest

Outside the stadium at the practice nets, Sachin Tendulkar seemed adamant to master the paddle sweep on the eve of the crucial India-South Africa game at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. For nearly an hour, Tendulkar concentrated on the shot that right-handed batsmen employ to negate the stifling accuracy of the left-arm slow bowlers. He wasn’t finished just yet, for Tendulkar went on to spend some time next to the central wicket, with strategically placed fielders around, to get match stimulus as he tried to squeeze the ball to the left of the wicket-keeper.

Tendulkar’s anxiety was expected since South African skipper Graeme Smith, as was the case in their last game against England, is expected to throw the new ball to left-arm spinner Robin Peterson. And the Indian opener has got out to these slow orthodoxes in the last two games — minnows Ireland and more recently Holland.

ICC Cricket World Cup: India v South Africa: Botha and Munaf in as India bat

On a hard surface, MS Dhoni chose to bat in an enticing encounter in a Group B game against South Africa in Nagpur.

"There might be some assistance early to the seamers but it should turn out to be a good batting track," Dhoni said at the toss. Graeme Smith said he too would have batted had he won the toss.

Both teams made just one change: India replaced Piyush Chawla with Munaf Patel as they went in with a three-pronged seam attack. South Africa rested Imran Tahir, recovering from an injury, and brought in Johan Botha.

India: 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 MS Dhoni (wk/capt), 7 Yusuf Pathan, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Ashish Nehra, 11 Munaf Patel

South Africa: 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers (wk), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Faf du Plessis, 7 Johan Botha, 8 Morne van Wyk, 9 Robin Peterson, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne Morkel

ICC CWC LIVE: India vs South Africa

India have made one change. Munaf Patel has replaced Piyush Chawla while Johan Botha comes in place of injured Imran Tahir in the South Africa squad.

Pitch Report:

The track appears to be flat and is expected to last the distance. Cracks likely to appear at later stages but all in all, a decent batting strip.

TEAMS

India: SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (captain)†, YK Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, A Nehra, MM Patel
South Africa: GC Smith (captain), HM Amla, JH Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, F du Plessis, MN van Wyk†, RJ Peterson, J Botha, M Morkel, DW Steyn

Star Sports commentators and former Indian players Vijay Dahiya and Vivek Razdan will share their thoughts with you during the match today.

With the ICC Cricket World Cup finally moving towards its business end, the onus will be on captain MS Dhoni to get the ball rolling after Team India’s unconvincing win against minnows Ireland and the Netherlands. The story is not very different for South African skipper Graeme Smith.
A team comprising AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn have failed to live up to their potential so far in the ICC CWC in between carrying on their age-hold habit of “choking” at crucial times.
Graeme Smith, who went out of the set pattern by opening the bowling against England with Robin Petersen - clearly sent a message that the team means business. Unfortunately, for Smith and Company, the South African chase did not put in to the sum of their parts. The star studded batting line-up failed to chase down the modest England total of 171. Graeme Smith did try to put up a brave point after the defeat in Chennai.
“We've handled ourselves in some tough situations over the last few years, I don't think pressure is our weakness," South Africa captain Graeme Smith had said.
The stakes definitely will be no less for the visitors at VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Popularly known as the Orange City, Nagpur – Maharastra’s winter capital, is all set for its most awaited encounter in this ICC Cricket World Cup.
Be it the Dr Ambedkar International Stadium in Sonegaon, to the nearest highway Chai Walas (tea-stalls) from Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, the talk inadvertently comes to cricket and India’s chances in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
But the man who is carrying all the bulk of expectations looks a bit perturbed by the criticism coming his way from all corners after India’s not so convincing performances so far in the tournament. Dhoni’s claim that that initial plan is to give everyone some practice and try various combinations would be put to an acid test against the South Africa in Nagpur on Saturday.
The real problem for Gary Kirsten and Mahendra Singh Dhoni would be to come up with the right balance. Will R Ashwin finally get a chance to play against the Proteas?  Or Will India go with five specialist bowlers?

If we can go by India’s skipper pre-match press conference at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, the answer would be a no.

“As of now, we are playing with four bowlers. Yuvraj, and Yusuf  have given us some comfort. 3-1 or 2-2 (referring to three pacer – one spinner theory or two pacer, two spinner theory), whatever, you may say. I prefer being on the safer side rather than experiments,” MS Dhoni said on the eve of the expectedly high octane game against South Africa.
Meanwhile, South Africa too have their share of problems to tackle after Imran Tahir, Proteas’ Pakistan born leg spinner was advised ten days rest for a fractured left thumb. But he will be available for selection on Saturday, the team management said.
Come Saturday and the frenzy won’t be any lesser, when arguably the world’s two best teams battle it out in Nagpur. Dale Steyn vs Sachin Tendulkar, Morne Morkel vs Virender Sehwag and Graeme Smith/ AB de Villiers vs Zaheer Khan simply promises to be a cracker of a contest.
Tighten your seat belts and don’t forget to watch this space as ESPNSTAR.com brings you all the frenzy and action from Nagpur’s VCA Stadium LIVE.

Approaching milestones - India vs South Africa
- Yuvraj Singh, in case of a fifty, would be the third Indian after Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar (twice) to register four successive fifty-plus scores at the world cup.  Apart from the two Indians, England's Graeme Fowler, Australia's David Boon and South Africa's Graeme Smith have accomplished the said feat.
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni (5892) needs 108 runs to complete his 6,000 runs in ODIs.
- Yuvraj Singh (7848) needs 152 runs to complete his 8000 runs in ODIs.
- Harbhajan Singh (248) requires just two to complete his 250 wickets in ODIs.
- Jacques Kallis (944) needs 56 runs to complete his 1000 runs and to become the second South African to complete 1000 runs at the world cup.  Herschelle Gibbs (1067) is the only South African to accomplish the feat.
- Having claimed 18 wickets, Kallis, in case of 56 runs more and two wickets against India, would be the second all-rounder in the history of the world cup to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 20 wickets.  Jayasuriya is the only one to accomplish the said double.
- In case of a hundred, Sachin Tendulkar would be the first to register 20 centuries at home in ODIs.
India vs South Africa at the World Cup
South Africa have won both their World Cup games - by 6 wickets at Adelaide on March 15, 1992 and by 4 wickets at Hove on May 15, 1999.
India vs South Africa in ODIs overall
South Africa have won 39 and lost 24 out of 65 played (NR 2) - S.A's winning % 61.90 and India's 38.09.
Last ten between the two countries
India have won six and lost four - winning % 60.00 for India and 40.00 for South Africa.
Last ten between the two countries in India
Won by both teams - five each
Last ten between the two countries in South Africa
South Africa have won eight and lost two.

LIVE ICC WORLD CUP: India vs South Africa

he big games are coming thick and fast in the ICC World Cup, today co-hosts India take on favourites South Africa.  

Click here for ball-by-ball text commentary and more stats than you can shake a stick at check out our live match centre.

Graeme Smith's men are still smarting after their collapse against England and will be determined to get back on track with a solid performance in Nagpur.

And while India have sometimes flattered to deceive in the tournament, they remain one of the few unbeaten sides with the in form Singh being one of the main reasons for that.

As the quarter-final places start to take shape, and in a tournament where everyone is beating everyone. These big clashes become more important.

So what are you waiting for?

Cricket, India Vs South Africa, ICC World Cup 2011 live score

Nagpur: The match between India and South Africa could be easily billed as the game of the tournament. The two favorites are going to clash. India has an upper hand as it is going unblemished in the tournament. Till the England match, South Africa has been able to put up a spirited performance. But in the match against England that SA lost by a small margin showed how the team could choke in big matches.

For India this match would be a test as they would be up against a quality team for the first time in the tournament, save England. Nagpur the city where the match is going to unfold is bracing up for the thriller with almost all hotels being booked till the weekend. Besides, it is expected that VCA stadium will be chock-o-block with cricket buffs. The match would be worth watching.

The sixth game being played at the venue is at the centre of attraction with fans rooting for their teams. After the defeat against England, this is the first match for South Africa. However, its captain Graeme Smith is confident that his take will sail through. A few hours before the start of the match, he told reporters: "Obviously, I reckon the team [South Africa] doing well tomorrow. But I would not say that this game is more important than the others."

He further continued and said: "It is not the be-all-and-end-all of the World Cup. The knockout stage is. The group phase is all about qualifying for the knock-out stage. Tomorrow it is obviously an important game to both the teams in the terms of confidence, and both will be playing well."

Will India be able to repeat it earlier performance and easily win this match?

India v South Africa – live!

India have won the toss and will bat first. They bring in Munaf Patel for Piyush Chawla, while South Africa have sensibly decided not to risk Imran Tahir's injured finger. He is replaced by Johan Botha. I wonder if they will open the bowling with a spinner today or go straight in with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

The cheer when India won the toss was incredible, almost as loud as when Bangladesh did in Chittagong yesterday. Every World Cup has an innovation, from pinch-hitting to opening the bowling with a spinner; this year it seems to be cheering like a madman when your side wins the toss.

India Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj, Dhoni (c/wk), Pathan, Harbhajan, Zaheer, Nehra, Patel.

South Africa Smith (c), Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Duminy, du Plessis, van Wyk (wk), Peterson, Botha, Morkel, Steyn.

Preamble Morning. This World Cup has been such a weird mixture of the magical and the mediocre – and, if you're an England fan, of joy and pain and the sweetest sorrow – that it's hard to know whether to love it or hate it. (To keep my options open I am, as I type, having LOVE and HATE tattoed on each knuckle, Robert Mitchum-style.)

I certainly know how I felt about the tournament when my alarm ripped me from my happy place at 6am this morning – and you can read those four-letter thoughts in Adult OBO, our new post-watershed service that is a bit like late-night Hollyoaks only without, well, y'know – but then, on the way into work, I started to think about the humdinger that awaits us in Nagpur today.

India v South Africa is the weightiest clash of the tournament so far. If we roll all cricket up into one big ball, they are undeniably the two best sides in the world. While this match almost certainly means nothing in terms of qualification – both sides could still go out, but it would take an absurd set of results for that to happen – it is a decent chance to put down a marker for the knockout stages, and, in all probability, avoid Australia in the quarter-finals.

It pits the most formidable batting line-up in the world against the best and most varied bowling attack. Specifically, it gives us the unique thrill of watching one little master, Dale Steyn, take on India's little masters, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. That's a contest for the ages. If India's innings should be the more exciting, then South Africa's should be the more instructive, for that is where each side's main concern lies: India with their fifth bowler in particular, and South Africa with their unusually fragile lower middle order.

Both sides have had setbacks, against England of all teams, and whoever loses today will approach the quarter-finals with a fair deal of trepidation. In that respect, and even though it amounts to the same thing, this is psychologically a mustn't-lose game rather than a must-win game. Which is a nice positive note on which to begin today's coverage.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: India v South Africa

March 12 will see what could potentially be the most absorbing encounter in this World Cup so far, when the Indians take on the South Africans at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground in Nagpur.

The Teams

At this stage, India is sitting pretty with their quarterfinal berth booked, while South Africa have everything to play for. Three wins and one tie have not done the Indian Cup prospects any harm whatsoever, although recurring poor fielding is a major area of concern for MS Dhoni. He has harped on it at two successive post-match interviews, simultaneously admitting that there was not much scope for improvement on that front.

The hard-earned wins over Ireland and Netherlands were largely crafted by the hand of Yuvraj Singh, as he - funnily enough - became the first World Cup participant to score more than 50 runs and capture 5 wickets in one match. The performance of the other spinners has rarely crept above the ordinary, with young Piyush Chawla not always justifying his place in the side. Maybe it is time to give R Ashwin a much-deserved chance?

The Indian batting has ditched its flamboyance from the previous games in favour of a more circumspect outlook. This attitude may have largely been an ode to slower pitches, but has not played its part in stemming the fall of wickets. Things could have gone either way until Yuvraj Singh arrived at the crease with metaphorically rolled-up sleeves and took matters beyond the reach of the opposition.

South Africa, for their part, bullied West Indies in their first match and went on to trample all over the Dutchmen. However, things got real interesting on Sunday in Chennai versus a wounded England, placed in a do-or-die situation. Restricting England to 171 may have made their task seem initially easy, but the Proteas also suffered from slow-pitch blues and a lower-middle order slump. In spite of measured double-figure contributions from the top five, headed by Amla (42), the regular coming-and-going of batsmen at the crease kept the English bowlers interested.

A steadfast Morne van Wyk could not hang on to his wicket and see things through to the desired result. In the end, South Africa will be left feeling the heat with their traditional match-winner Mark Boucher gone. The lower middle order should quickly reconcile to what is expected of them, in order to avoid such slumps in future.

The Pitch

The pitch at the VCA has had a bit of a rest since February 28th. Zimbabwe managed 298 runs on it, proving it good for batting. There can really be no excuse for not making the most of the ideal conditions and getting the runs on the board.

Players to watch

Now that Yuvraj Singh has decided to awaken from his long slumber and contribute to proceedings, in whatever manner possible, it enlivens things for the entire Indian team. His bowling performances have taken the pressure of the other non-performing bowlers constituting the side. On the Proteas side, Hashim Amla continues batting unperturbed, unaffected by top-order collapses or the inroads made by the opposition's seam bowling. Everyone will be very interested in finding out if leg-spinner Imran Tahir troubles the Indian batting as much as he did the Englishmen.

Who wins?

If India do not take on the "chokers" mantle from the South Africans and if their bowling does not dramatically let them down, they should come out on top in this meeting. However, the unnecessary loss to England will rankle and Graeme Smith will look to rally his men and make a statement against the hosts.

India vs South Africa : Clash of Titans in ICC World Cup 2011

India may have maintained their unbeaten run in the World Cup by defeating the Netherlands on Wednesday, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s strategies seem stubborn.

Persevering with an off-colour Piyush Chawla is an attempt to justify his selection in the squad. Although Dhoni has said that the leg-spinner needs confidence, we are getting into the business end of the tourn ment and it’s high time we stopped experimenting. What has been done can’t be undone, so looking forward to the match against South Africa in Nagpur, I would like Dhoni to play three pacers and a lone spinner in Harbhajan Singh.

Not only the bowling line-up, but the batting-order too needs to be stable. None of the top four batsmen have been consistent and changing the order doesn’t help their confidence much.

While Virender Sehwag has categorically said that he would look to play right through the innings, he has failed to do that except for the opening match against Bangladesh. Even Virat Kohli started off impressively, but has failed to build on that. I feel the batsmen have failed to apply themselves.

Looking at the wicket at the Kotla on Wednesday, there was no need for batsmen to go for their shots, but they perished trying to do just that. Better application is a must, now that we are gearing up for the knock-out stages. I was also surprised that Dhoni refused to bowl out Ashish Nehra.

Since he is coming back from injury, one would have expected that Dhoni would test his fitness by getting him to bowl 10 overs.

With conditions in Nagpur favouring swing bowlers, I would expect Nehra to have a big role to play. But we need back-up for both Zaheer Khan and Nehra as both are prone to injuries and if they break down at this stage, it would spell curtains for India going into the knockout stages.

This is where I feel Munaf Patel should come in. With Yuvraj Singh doing really well, I feel Harbhajan as the lone spinner is enough. Frankly, Yuvraj is bowling better than the regular spinners.

While we have talked about how bowling has been our weakness, the batsmen have failed in the last two outings. I think it is time that they play according to the situation rather than getting carried away — especially against South Africa because they are fierce competitors and after the loss against England, they will be coming hard at the Indians. Today’s game is definitely the toughest for India and if they can beat the Proteas, the other teams will sit up and take notice.

South Africa have good pacers as well as spinners. Imran Tahir’s injury it shouldn’t count for much as Indians have been known to play spinners well. I feel even South Africa’s middleorder is pretty dangerous and the Indians will be hoping that their poor form continues.

India vs South Africa live: equal batting, unequal bowling

India and South Africa face each other in the 29th match of the ICC World Cup 2011 at a time when both teams are at the target of critics. A very keen contest is expected in Nagpur, which starts 2:30 P.M. on Saturday as both the times are preparing to prove the critics wrong.

Though India have not lost any match but it has a deficit of one point due to the tie match against England. Indian team is facing criticism, as their comfort level in the wins against Ireland and the Netherlands was very low. Indian media termed those wins as 'struggling and stumbling victories'.

The not so successful stint of Harbhajan Singh till now is also a matter of concern for the Indian fans. Piyush Chawla is in the firing line and he might be replaced with R Ashwin.

In fact apart from Zaheer Khan all the Indian bowlers seem to be struggling. The late replacement for Pravenn Kumar, S. Sreesanth is still nowhere. Ashish Nehra's fitness is a mystery. Munaf Patel, like Piyush Chawla is being criticised for giving away too many runs.

MS Dhoni's recent remarks about his bowlers remind the basic difference in an aggressive captain and a captain who thinks otherwise. Dhoni says that ' If I have two bowlers who are giving 70 runs from 20 overs, I would be quite happy with them even if they don't take wickets because ultimately the pressure turns on the batsmen to score runs in today's format'.

The 1992 World Cup winning team's captain of Pakistan Imran Khan had a different view. He asked Wasim Akram to bowl fast and take wickets without fearing for the wides and the no balls. The world knows Wasim Akram's bowling performance in that tournament.

For South Africa Imran Tahir has been quite a big success as a tweaker but he is doubtful because of injury. Still, South Africa would find it very difficult to do away the temptation of playing Imran who could be a real surprise pack for the Indian batsmen. Johan Botha is expected to replace him if it is finally decided to drop him.

South Africa is also concerned with the form or rather lack of form of Jacques Kallis with both bat and ball. Dale Styen is also not proving that threatening as he is capable of.

As England have suffered two upsets, India and South Africa find their ways to quarterfinal a bit easier but the win in this match would be great morale booster.