India vs South Africa, Match 37
ICC World Cup, 5 November, 2023, 2 PM IST, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
India and South Africa, the two top teams of this World Cup, will face each other in the 37th match of the tournament on Sunday (November 5). The match will take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will commence at 2 PM IST.
This is just the third game of the World Cup in Kolkata and the venue is also scheduled to host one of the semifinals later this month.
As far as the match is concerned, both sides are in the semifinals and the face-off will only determine which team is better prepared for the knockouts. While India have not dropped a single game thus far, the Proteas have only lost to the Netherlands. A win for South Africa will make sure they are into the semis but even a loss will not hurt them much.
The same is the case with India as they would like to be tested on all fronts before the semifinals. India have officially qualified for the knockouts after thumping Sri Lanka by 302 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India is the only unbeaten side in this World Cup so far having won all of their seven matches. Only New Zealand have tested them to some extent and are looking serious contenders to win the trophy for the third time in the One-Day format. However, with South Africa in front of them, expect them to concentrate on this much for now.
South Africa, meanwhile, have been playing like a dream. They might have lost to the Netherlands chasing 245 runs but they have thumped most of the other teams and are coming off a solid 190-run win over New Zealand in Pune. Their clash against Pakistan, chasing 270-odd went down the wire, and the Proteas will be keen on improving in this aspect ahead of the knockouts.
The India vs South Africa prediction is not an easy one at all but given their winning run, India definitely start as the favourites. But the Temba Bavuma-led side will be eager to quieten the crowd at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. We predict a thriller in Kolkata.
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for India: W-W-W-W-W
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for the South Africa: W-W-W-W-L
Today toss prediction: Who will win the toss today?
Contents
India vs South Africa Match Preview
India
Things are looking perfect for India as they have won all their seven matches thus far. Even as they are fretting over Hardik Pandya’s fitness before the semifinals, the men in blue will be delighted that Mohammed Shami has turned out to be sensational with the ball. Even the likes of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer were amongst runs in the last game.
In-form batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will also look to add more runs to the tally even as the latter continues his hunt to level up with Sachin Tendulkar for the record of most centuries in ODIs. India are unlikely to make any changes to their winning combination.
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli
Probable Best Bowler: Kuldeep Yadav
Wishing #TeamIndia Vice-Captain – Hardik Pandya, a speedy recovery! 🤝
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 4, 2023
See you back on the field very soon 🤗
Prasidh Krishna will join the squad as a replacement 👏#TeamIndia | #CWC23 | #MenInBlue pic.twitter.com/D3SCt6XPB0
Possible Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav
South Africa
Like India, South Africa are also on a winning run and have no reason to change their winning combination. The fitness issues regarding Kagiso Rabada have also been resolved and they have players fit and running for this match. Batting first, they have been playing like a beast and the likes of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen are in amazing form.
Even Rassie van der Dussen has done well holding one end at number three and has smashed two centuries thus far. A good outing against the title favourites India will give the Proteas a massive boost.
Probable Best Perfomers
Probable Best Batter: Quinton de Kock
Probable Best Bowler: Marco Jansen
This is how some of your favourite Proteas kill time at the airport 🛫🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 2, 2023
JP Duminy – Mr Cool Strings 🎸
Geral Coetzee with the book 📖
Lizzy with the Poker Face 🃏
David Miller is always tech savy 📲
Lungi and Andy are forever laughing 🫂 #CWC23 #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/fg9H7NsLTO
Possible Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Pitch Report and Expected Weather Conditions for India vs South Africa
A couple of low-scoring matches have taken in Kolkata so far with the Netherlands defending 229 vs Bangladesh and Pakistan chasing down 205, also against Bangladesh. However, it is a good pitch to bat on, and the Eden Gardens surface always lends help to the bowlers, which makes for an interesting viewing of a cricket match.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata ODI Records
Total Matches: 37
Match Won batting first: 21
Match won bowling first: 15
Average 1st innings score: 240
Average 2nd innings score: 201
Expected weather condition: Rain is likely to make it presence felt in the match between India and South Africa. It is expected to rain a lot on Saturday as well, and even though there are less chances of rain on Sunday, it will undoubtedly play a little bit of spoilsport during the match.
India vs South Africa Dream11 Match Prediction
Wicket-keepers: Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Gerald Coetzee
Recommended Dream11 Captain: Virat Kohli
Recommended Dream11 Vice-captain: Quinton de Kock
You might have to drop a couple of key players from your Dream11 Fantasy team with the kind of quality cricketers that are available to be picked.
De Kock and Klaasen are must-picks in the wicketkeepers category, while India’s top three, Gill, Kohli and Rohit, cannot be ignored on current form. In the all-rounder's section, Jansen and Jadeja are doing well in picking up wickets while Markram is in brilliant form. With the ball, it is a crime right now to pick Shami while Kuldeep and Coetzee are other bowlers in our Dream11 prediction.
India vs South Africa win prediction: India to win
India are the clear favourites to win this match against South Africa. A loss will not hurt any of the teams but with this being a potential title clash, both teams would want an upper hand going into the knockouts. We predict a cracker of a match.
