On the back of South Africa and India winning their respective opening matches, their bout against one another on Sunday is bound to be one hell of a firecracker.
While we are discussing firecrackers, have you seen the ad poking fun at India for not having won a single game against the African giants in the World Cups?
Yes, it’s true. India may have won the World Cup, but they have never beaten a team that is disreputable for falling apart under trying situations.
India and South Africa meet face each other for the fourth time in the World Cups this Sunday.
India face South Africa for the fourth time in World Cups
Both teams have met on three occasions – 1992, 1996 and 2011 – with South Africa proving formidable every single time.
There’s no question that India looked at its prime against arch-rivals Pakistan while handing them a 76-run defeat last Sunday. South Africa, on the other hand, faced Zimbabwe beating them convincingly by 62 runs.
India’s batting line-up, after a long time, looked steady with Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina scoring big runs. Though South Africa’s top-order did appear vulnerable against their African counterparts, it could be brushed off as a one-time bad experience.
India will be keen on beating South Africa for the first time in World Cups
It was good to see India’s bowling come to the party for once as it bundled out Pakistan for just 224 runs. While chasing the mammoth total set by South Africa, Zimbabwe did manage to score 277.
This Sunday, the competition will be against Indian batsmen and South African bowlers. South African bowling will be led by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, two of the fiercest pace bowlers in modern day cricket.
South Africa would like to keep their unbeaten record against India
While India and South Africa will be competing, all eyes will be on Gary Kirsten, former India coach under whom team India won the World Cup in 2011. Kirsten, who joined South Africa as a consultant, will like to play a key part in his team winning cricket’s most coveted prize this year.
One of the interesting facts about South Africa in World Cups is that they have faced a fate bad than worse after defeating India every single time.
Rain saved England against South Africa at the 1992 World Cup
Would history repeat itself or will India beat South Africa, in the process, altering the latter’s “jinx” at the World Cups?
Regardless, a huge crowd is expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 22nd of February. India vs South Africa will be a contest that will keep you wanting for more.
