Many would have loved to see the two giants of world cricket meet at the final. Who knows this may be the dress rehearsal. The match on Sunday (February 22) at MCG will not only draw a capacity crowd it promises to be a hot contest of two teams playing two dissimilar brand of cricket. South Africa will have definite edge over the Indians on fast bowling and sharp fielding while India as a team has stronger and deeper batting resources. India has better spinners. The team that appears with A game on the day will come out victorious. The winner will in all possibility will top the group and will avoid meeting stronger side of Pool A in quarter final. Another record crowd of about 90,000 is expected at MCG as we found the match is already sold out. Melbourne weather is expected to be good permitting the match without any interference. Many Bangladeshis from Bangladesh along with the Bangladesh team is expected at Bangladesh plays its third match at MCG against Sri Lanka.
Both India and South Africa have won their first match. India won very comfortably against arch rival Pakistan. South Africans had little shakes against Zimbabwe. The match at MCG will be huge. India will have great support as Indians from all over Australia and even New Zealand will gather. Asian community living in Melbourne has also shown great interest for the match.
South Africa visited Australia in not too distant past. But they were overwhelmed in the series by red hot Australia. Similarly Indians were no match for superior Australians in their long stay in Australia leading to the world cup. But world cup is a unique tournament where records hardly matters. Indians are reigning champions and South Africa has never won the tournament.
South Africa possesses arguably the best pace attack at the moment. Dayle Steyn the number one strike bowler in ICC ranking. Philander and Morkel can be lethal as well if the wicket favors pace bowling. As against the trio Indian new ball attack of Sami, Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav looks less aggressive. Steyn, Morkel and Philander will take greater test of skills and temperament of Indian top order of Rohit, Shikhar and Virat Amla, de Kock and de Villiars may find Yadav, Sami and Mohit a little easier to deal with. For India’s sake Rohit and Virat must play longer innings as South Africa’s support bowling are not as good as India’s. If South Africa make early inroad into Indian batting then all the pacers are capable of breaking the back bone of Indian batting. On the other hand if Indian pacers cannot make headway Ashwin and Jadeja can always chip in and stifle the South Africans. The most satisfying for India is that Virat Kohli got back his sublime touch and will definitely hold the key in the match. Raina also looked dynamic as ever against Pakistan. But rest of the batting failed to deal with Sohail Khan. Dhoni and later orders melted from Sohail’s pace and movement. Proteas will provide plenty of those. Miller and Duminy played wonderfully well in the first match – both scored century. But South Africa has a longer tail. If the situation comes for tail to wag, it will be very unlikely that South Africa can do that.
South Africa India fielding is always 20-30 runs difference. But India fielded well against Pakistan. If Amla or de Villiers is given a reprieve they will simply bat India put of the contest. Ground fielding and catching must be perfect if India is to create contest against willing South Africa. Let us hope that capacity MCG Sunday crowd is treated to a cricket feast.
BDST: 1802 HRS, FEB 20, 2015
