India vs South Africa Live Score: Two of the most consistent teams in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, India and South Africa, are facing off today on November 5 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India are undefeated in seven matches, and South Africa have only lost once in seven games Both the teams have secured a spot in the semi-finals following Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand on November 4. However, the race for the top spot in the table remains open.

India currently lead the points table with 14 points, while South Africa are second with 12 points. South Africa have a better net run rate (+2.290) than India (+2.102), making today's match critical in determining the table topper.

The captains, Rohit Sharma and Temba Bavuma, face a tough decision on whether to play to their strengths or exploit their opponent's weaknesses. South Africa prefer batting first, consistently setting up substantial totals and winning by significant margins. India, on the other hand, prefer chasing a target, as they sometimes struggle when batting first.

This match will test India's five-bowler strategy, especially with Hardik Pandya ruled out. South Africa would aim to capitalise on India's lack of a sixth bowling option.

South Africa's batsmen have been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, with Quinton de Kock leading the run charts with 545 runs in seven matches, including four centuries. However, India's bowlers, particularly the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, have been in top form and have taken the most wickets among all teams in the tournament.

Coming to the pitch at Eden Gardens, it favours neither fast bowlers nor the spinners significantly. The weather is expected to be on the warmer side with temperatures reaching 32°C in the afternoon and dew potentially playing a role at night. The Air Quality Index is projected to be around 160.

22:00 PM (IST) • 05 Nov 2023

IND vs SA HIGHLIGHTS: Brings The Curtain Down On IND Vs SA Coverage

That brings the curtain down on our coverage of the IND vs SA, World Cup 2023 fixture at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India win and guarantee themselves the table-topper position with 16 points from 8 matches. South Africa, meanwhile, remain at the second place and need to get this result out of their system since there is a possibility that the two teams might meet again in the business end of the tournament. Thank you so much for joining us. Good night from all of us at ABP LIVE.

21:41 PM (IST) • 05 Nov 2023

IND vs SA HIGHLIGHTS: Match Summary

An emotional moment really for me as well, as the match comes to an end and India equal their biggest winning spree in World Cups with eight wins in a row. But there is something different about this team in the manner in which they have gone about the game. There is a fear that the team might have peaked early but they have found a way to improve game after game. The clarity in their mindset is mind blowing. The team is on a mission on the World Cup and following their dominant win over the Proteas in Kolkata on Sunday (November 5), there is every reason to believe that they can. They are set to finish number 1 on the table irrespective of the result of their last round-robin stage since no other team can reach 16 points.

They won the toss, elected to bat first against South Africa and boy did Rohit Sharma look like he was batting on a different surface. The blistering start was key to India posting 326/5. Virat Kohli scored a dream record-equalling hundred on his birthday while Shreyas Iyer scored his second successive half-century and Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja scored useful cameos. Jaddu then returned to scalp a fifer and break South African batting spine after the early damage was done by Mohammed Siraj who removed in-form Quinton De Kock early. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets apiece as India completed yet another dominant win.

Kohli was adjuged the Player Of the Match and ensured that his 35th birthday is rememberd for years to come as the day he levelled cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar's one thought as impossible to achieve 49 ODI hundreds.