India and South Africa were favourites to reach the semifinals from Group B of the Champions Trophy, but only one team can do so now. India face South Africa in a virtual quarterfinal match at Kennington Oval in London on Sunday, June 11. The winner progresses into the last four while the loser book their ticket home.
It would be interesting to see India's playing XI against South Africa. History says South Africa are not great players of spin, and the same was witnessed against Pakistan. India will be tempted to play R Ashwin, who has not featured in a single game so far in this Champions Trophy.
But, the question remains – who will/should be dropped? Are India willing to play with two spinners – if yes, one does not see Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, wonderful white-ball cricketer being dropped so it could be a tossup between Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
The axe might fall on Yadav as Hardik has showed his skills as an all-rounder, which will be important for India against South Africa.
The rest of the team looks settled, especially in the batting line-up, where all of the players, especially Shaikhar Dhawan, has looked in majestic touch. Virat Kohli was out for a duck in the last match and he will make sure that he scores big in this clash.
Coming to South Africa, they were outplayed by Pakistan in their last match, and they will be sure to make amends. One does not see any changes happening in their playing XI against India.
Though they might think of removing JP Duminy and Wayne Parnell, they would try and stick to the same team with their experienced guns in a do-or-die encounter.
However, the problem for South Africa has been the form of AB De Villiers, who is yet to shine. South Africa will look for their skipper to get his game going and dump India out of the competition.
Kagiso Rabada, who is one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket, has also not had a good time with the ball. The bowler is genuinely quick and can rattle India batsmen with his pace.
Confirmed Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (c), David Miller, JP Duminy, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
