The 'Green and Gold' Brigade were handed a major 104-run loss by hosts England in their tourney opener and were upset by Bangladesh in their next encounter. South Africa will look to end their two match losing streak when they face a strong opponent and one of the pre-tournament favourties in Virat Kohli-led team India.
So here are five players who shall be key to South Africa's fortunes against India
Quinton De Cock
South African batting shall heavily rely on the shoulders of their inform opener Quinton De Cock. De Cock was among the runs in both of South Africa's matches against hosts England and Bangladesh. The southpaw has scored 91 runs in two matches with a half century to his name. In South Africa's first World Cup match, De Kock scored a well-compiled 74-ball 68 runs, including six boundaries. With seasoned opener Hashim Amla uncertain to play against India and the other top order batsmen not in the best of knick, the Proteas shall once against expect De Cock to fire on all cylinders.
Faf Du Plessis
Faf Du Plessis is the backbone of the South African middle order and the Proteas shall expect their skipper be the sheet anchor of their batting against a quality Indian bowling attack. Du Plessis along with young Van Dussen have looked to be in fine form during South Africa's previous two encounters which ended in losses. The Proteas skipper scored a fluent half century against Bangladesh and was looking in full control before he got out and triggered a major batting collapse. If South Africa wish to beat India, it will have to be their skipper who needs to lead the batting efforts from the front.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada will be the spearhead of the Proteas bowling attack in the absence of veteran Dale Steyn who has been ruled out from the rest of the tournament. Proteas shall look to Rabada for making the initial breakthoughs in the Indian batting order with the new ball. Rabada has been among the wickets in the tournament, striking early blows with fellow pacer Lungi Ngidi. In South Africa`s first World Cup match against England, Rabada returned with the figures of 2/66, which included a crucial wicket of Joe Root.
David Miller
David Miller has been South Africa's game changer with the bat down the order. The power hitter can swing games in a blink of an eye with his clinical ball striking. The Proteas will need Miller to fire on all cylinders in their encounter against India. If the Proteas bat first, Miller would need to step up the acceleration towards the end of the innings to set up a challenging total for a batting heavy Indian side. Miller with his well known finishing abilities with the willow could also be the X factor if Proteas are set a herculean total by the Indians.
Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir is undoubtedly South Africa's spin king in the limited overs format and is their go to man to take wickets in the middle overs. The ace leggie has shown his wicket taking prowess in the World Cup by picking up four wickets against England and Bangladesh in South Africa's opening two games.Tahir was one of the few South African bowlers to end with economical figures (2/57) in their loss against Bangladesh. Tahir shall relish the challenge of bowling to Indian batsman who are known to play spin well.
So here are five players who shall be key to South Africa's fortunes against India
Quinton De Cock
South African batting shall heavily rely on the shoulders of their inform opener Quinton De Cock. De Cock was among the runs in both of South Africa's matches against hosts England and Bangladesh. The southpaw has scored 91 runs in two matches with a half century to his name. In South Africa's first World Cup match, De Kock scored a well-compiled 74-ball 68 runs, including six boundaries. With seasoned opener Hashim Amla uncertain to play against India and the other top order batsmen not in the best of knick, the Proteas shall once against expect De Cock to fire on all cylinders.
Faf Du Plessis
Faf Du Plessis is the backbone of the South African middle order and the Proteas shall expect their skipper be the sheet anchor of their batting against a quality Indian bowling attack. Du Plessis along with young Van Dussen have looked to be in fine form during South Africa's previous two encounters which ended in losses. The Proteas skipper scored a fluent half century against Bangladesh and was looking in full control before he got out and triggered a major batting collapse. If South Africa wish to beat India, it will have to be their skipper who needs to lead the batting efforts from the front.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada will be the spearhead of the Proteas bowling attack in the absence of veteran Dale Steyn who has been ruled out from the rest of the tournament. Proteas shall look to Rabada for making the initial breakthoughs in the Indian batting order with the new ball. Rabada has been among the wickets in the tournament, striking early blows with fellow pacer Lungi Ngidi. In South Africa`s first World Cup match against England, Rabada returned with the figures of 2/66, which included a crucial wicket of Joe Root.
David Miller
David Miller has been South Africa's game changer with the bat down the order. The power hitter can swing games in a blink of an eye with his clinical ball striking. The Proteas will need Miller to fire on all cylinders in their encounter against India. If the Proteas bat first, Miller would need to step up the acceleration towards the end of the innings to set up a challenging total for a batting heavy Indian side. Miller with his well known finishing abilities with the willow could also be the X factor if Proteas are set a herculean total by the Indians.
Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir is undoubtedly South Africa's spin king in the limited overs format and is their go to man to take wickets in the middle overs. The ace leggie has shown his wicket taking prowess in the World Cup by picking up four wickets against England and Bangladesh in South Africa's opening two games.Tahir was one of the few South African bowlers to end with economical figures (2/57) in their loss against Bangladesh. Tahir shall relish the challenge of bowling to Indian batsman who are known to play spin well.