India is set to lock horns with South Africa in what promises to be a riveting match on November 5th at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Indian team comes into this match with a resounding victory under their belt, having demolished Sri Lanka with a commanding 302-run win. Despite losing their captain early, India posted a formidable 357/8, thanks to brilliant knocks from Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer. The bowlers then wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings, bowling them out for a paltry 55 runs.
South Africa is also riding high, coming off a massive 190-run win over New Zealand. They have been consistent throughout the tournament, losing only once, and have showcased a potent combination of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling.
Match Timings and Broadcast Details
The match is scheduled for November 5th, starting at 2:00 pm IST. Here’s where you can catch the live action across the globe:
- In India: Watch live on Star Sports or stream on Disney+ Hotstar at 2:00 pm IST.
Historical Encounters and Head-to-Head Record
In the 90 matches played between these two cricketing powerhouses, South Africa has had the upper hand with 50 wins. India has won 37 encounters, with a few games having no result.
Probable Playing XI
Here are the players likely to take the field for both teams:
For India, the likely starters could be Rohit Sharma at the helm with Shubman Gill opening alongside him. Virat Kohli is expected to come in at number three, followed by the dependable Shreyas Iyer. KL Rahul might take the gloves and play as the wicketkeeper-batsman. Hardik Pandya could add to the all-round strength, with Ravindra Jadeja bringing his experience to the lower middle order. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is anticipated to lead the pace attack, supported by the lethal Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, with Yuzvendra Chahal weaving his spin magic.
South Africa may walk in with Quinton de Kock as the wicketkeeper-opener, with Temba Bavuma leading the team. Faf du Plessis’ experience will be invaluable, and Rassie van der Dussen is expected to lend stability to the middle order along with David Miller. Janneman Malan could get a nod for his batting prowess. Andile Phehlukwayo might be the all-rounder of choice, with a pace battery comprising Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi. Tabraiz Shamsi is likely to be the key spinner in the lineup.
Match Predictions and Odds
India has been in stellar form throughout the World Cup, boasting a balanced team with both their batting and bowling departments firing on all cylinders. With the top-order batsmen finding their rhythm and a formidable bowling attack spearheaded by Bumrah and Shami, India enters the match as favorites.
South Africa’s batters have also been in top form but have shown vulnerabilities when chasing targets. India might look to exploit this if they win the toss and choose to bat first. Although the match is expected to be closely contested, India is tipped to have a slight advantage going into this game.
