The article speaks about merits of Indian team opposite South Africa. India is way ahead in batting. South Africa has strong bowling line up but lack of variation.

India is way ahead of South Africa in the 2nd match of the World Cup. It is going to be played in Melbourne Cricket Ground on 22nd February, 2015. Experts feel that the match is going to be an evenly fought about contest between Indian batsmen and South African bowlers.

 

Firstly India’s batting is in supreme touch. Sunil Gavaskar and other experts had advised Rohit Sharma not to open in the innings. In the last encounter versus Pakistan Rohit Sharma went out cheaply.

 

Save that India’s combination is excellent. Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane are in supreme touch.

If 3 out of the 4 just click India can post a total above 280 runs in 50 overs.

 

Secondly India’s spin attack versus South Africa with Aswin and Ravindra Jadeja can be very effective. South Africa in the past had struggled with spin. It could have been better if an extra spinner could have played in the match.

 

South Africa’s bowling attack does not have variation. The spin battery is very ordinary with Imran Tahir. In the last match versus Zimbabwe Dale Steyn and Philander went for a lot of runs.

 

The only South African bowler who can create problems for India can be Morne Morkel. Due to his extra height he can extract more bounce from the wicket than other bowlers. As Melbourne Cricket Ground already has steep bounce, it is obvious that Morkel will do well.

 

In respect of batting, none of the top order batsmen of South Africa showed any form. Hashim Amla, AB Devilliers, all went cheaply. Just because it was Zimbabwe that Duminy and Miller could create a steady partnership and attacked at the end.

 

If any collapse takes place against India, South Africa will not be able to recover from that. The only plus factor for South Africa lies in the history in the World Cup against India. They had defeated India three times.

 

But that history does not carry much weight because those South African teams were much better. In the present team, there are no great all-rounders like Shaun Pollock, Jack Kallis and Lance Klusener. Even pace sensations like Donald and Pollock are not there. All-time great fielders like Jhonty Rhodes are not there.

 

The spectators expect a well contested match in Melbourne Cricket Ground. Whoever between India and South Africa wins this match will be the Pool Champion and will go to the next round beings Champions.