India and South Africa, two of the strongest teams in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, will clash in a super match on Sunday. Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the highly-anticipated encounter between the two cricketing giants.
India has been invincible in the World Cup 2023 by winning all seven matches. The table-toppers also became the first team to qualify for the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the upcoming match with India is a high-stakes game for South Africa as they not only intend to defeat India but confirm their spot in the semifinals. Their World Cup journey has been incredible, as they have won six out of seven matches so far. The Proteas are second in the points table, and the only game they lost was to the Netherlands by 38 runs.
India and South Africa won their previous games with massive margins. South Africa defeated New Zealand by 190 runs in their last match, while India knocked out Sri Lanka by only 55 runs.
The upcoming match will be thrilling as both teams will play strategically and make no mistake of underestimating their rivals. It is also crucial as this is India and South Africa's second-last game before the semifinals.
India and South Africa are currently the teams to beat in this World Cup. Rohit Sharma and his troops have an unblemished record, while South Africa's solitary slip was an astonishing defeat against the Netherlands. Both are through to the semifinals and the battle will be to occupy the summit spot. As South Africa aim to challenge the mighty hosts, it is to be seen how far they can accomplish their mission. Both the batting and bowling have clicked for these two rivals, and it promises to be the biggest battle of this World Cup. But considering all the factors, this Indian team look too strong at the moment and our prediction is solely tilted in favour of Rohit Sharma and his troops. India are looking likely to win and thus ensure the top spot in the World Cup standings.
It is fitting that this contest will have a significant say on which team tops the table and thus earns the right to face the fourth-placed team in the semi-final. Tactically the teams won't approach this too differently to the rest of their campaign. The data for match-ups is not even recent enough. Just expect the added element of reverse swing. Expect Mohammed Siraj to come back into the attack before Bumrah as it has happened in matches that India expect reverse in. These teams are Nos. 1 and 3 on the balls-per-six count, but in this strange world, expect Eden Gardens, one of the quick-scoring grounds, to make it more about the bowlers as it has been here so far.
