World Cup 2019: India vs South Africa match preview

SOUTHAMPTON: India to take on South Africa at the Hampshire Bowl today in their opening World Cup game at 2:30 pm (PST) and 10:30 am (local time).

South Africa, who were beaten by England in the opening match, faced their second consecutive loss in the World Cup. The Proteas have no more edge for any mistake after second World Cup defeat against Bangladesh and should exploit India's 'first game nerves' to bring their World Cup campaign in the groove again.

There was all the more terrible news for the South African team as their key quick bowler Lungi Ngidi was dropped out of the immensely significant clash against the No.2-ranked India.

Further adding to the miser was Dale Steyn being ruled out of the World Cup. 

Lungi Ngidi, who was the pick of the South African bowlers in the opener against England, limped off the field with a hamstring strain in the seventh over of the match against Bangladesh.

South Africa as of now has a couple of damage stresses in the squad.

During the game against England, Hashim Amla was hit on the helmet by a terrible bouncer of Jofra Archer and had to sit out in the match against Bangladesh with David Miller coming in as his substitution. Amla is relied upon to return for the match against India.

India, who is touted by most veterans as the main participant to lift their third World Cup title after 1983 and 2011, are viewing other Asian teams struggling against pace and bounce.

Like at the current year's edition of the tournament, India took on South Africa in their first match of the 1999 cricket World Cup. India put on 253 on a decent batting pitch, still, the Proteas held their nerve to reach the target effortlessly.

The greatest in the center has been Kedar Jadhav, who harmed his shoulder on May 5 out of an IPL game. Notwithstanding being cleared for warm-up games against New Zealand and Bangladesh, he sat on the bench. Kedar's inclusion in the opener match has yet not been confirmed.

If India manages to beat Proteas, then South Africa will own the unwanted record of losing three consecutive games for the first time in the World Cup history.

Weather Conditions in Southampton

Light rain showers with a moderate breeze are expected on Wednesday. There will be variable cloudiness in the sky with a slight coolness in the air.

IND-SA ODI stats

Head to Head matches: 83

IND won: 34

SA won: 46

Tied: 0

No result: 3

Highest total: 438/4 by South Africa in the year 2015

Lowest total: 91/10 by India in the year 2006

Most runs: 2001 runs in 57 matches Sachin Tendulkar (IND), including an innings of 200*

Most wickets: 48 wickets in 33 matches by SM Pollock (SA)

South Africa’s squad for ICC World Cup 2019: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir

India's squad for ICC World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Y. Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami.