Premier pacer Dale Steyn getting ruled out of World Cup with a shoulder injury and another fast bowler Lungi Ngidi nursing a Grade 1 hamstring injury has forced skipper Faf du Plessis to reconsider his game strategy and put a brave face, leading his 'low on confidence' squad against a Virat-led mighty India.
'Steyn-less' South Africa's confidence will be at its lowest following back-to-back defeats against England and Bangladesh. On the other hand, the ‘men-in-blue’ can't wait to kick-start their campaign with a commanding performance.
TOSS UPDATE: South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to bat against India at Southampton. Faf has decided to include two spinners Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi in the playing XI and veteran fit-again Amla makes his way back to the squad.
Faf du Plessis, RSA captain: We are having a bat. Mostly because of the makeup of the side against two spinners, that's the best option. Amla is back for this game. Morris is still playing, and we're bringing in an extra spinner. We didn't have the ideal start, but we need to keep going. We need to win 6 games to get to the semis, we have seven games left.
For India, all-rounder Kedar Jadhav makes it to the playing XI after recovering from his shoulder injury.
Virat Kohli, IND captain: The crowd support will be massive for us. Lots of people who live here and lots who are travelling here. For us its about keeping composure, remembering why we got the results in the last two years and continuing the same way. Bhuvi, Bumrah, Kuldeep and Chahal are all playing. When these guys and Hardik are playing along with Jadhav, we are always a strong bowling attack. I'm very excited, after so much cricket in the last two years. Couldn't be more grateful and happy.
Teams (Playing XI):
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi
IND vs SA, ICC World Cup 2019, toss: South Africa opt to bat at Southampton
ABP Live
Updated at:
05 Jun 2019 03:05 PM (IST)
'Steyn-less' South Africa's confidence will be at its lowest following back-to-back defeats against England and Bangladesh. On the other hand, the ‘men-in-blue’ can't wait to kick-start their campaign with a commanding performance.
Photo: Twitter
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