So, the Champions Trophy has moved into the final round of group stages one does not know the semi-finalists from Group B. One of them will be decided in Oval on Sunday, June 11, as the victorious team between India and South Africa will book their last-four ticket.
Here is how the India vs South Africa match could go:
If India bat first
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma start on a cautious note. Their objective remains – not to give away early wickets. They are successful as they score 70 runs in the first 15 overs. They decide it is time to cut loose, and Rohit starts to play his attacking shots while Shikhar is playing second fiddle.
India are dealing in boundaries, with both the players scoring their respective half centuries. Despite the wicket of Rohit, Virat Kohli and Shikhar score quick runs. With 200 runs on the board in the 37th over and just two wickets down, they are on course for more than 300 runs.
While trying to up the ante, both the players are gone, but with some crisp hitting from MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, India score 330 runs in 50 overs.
South Africa, in need to score runs, start brightly. Quinton De Kock is timing the ball well, and taking the attack to the India bowlers while Hashim Amla is oozing class at the other end. They are in cruise control while Kohli is asking his bowlers to break the partnership. SA score 140 runs in 22 overs with both the openers having completed their respective half centuries.
Finally, there is a breakthrough as Ravindra Jadeja produces some magic on the field, runs out Kock with a direct throw. That lifts Team India and Faf Du Plessis also goes for a single-digit score. India sense an opening, but AB De Villiers plays a counter attacking innings, which puts India on the backfoot. He brings up his 50 in 28 balls.
Meanwhile Amla also scores his ton.
ABD and Amla have the game in their bag and does not take undue risks, reaches the target in the 46th over.
If SA bat first
Amla and Kock are looking good in the middle. They score 83 runs in the first 15 overs, but India bowlers are bowling it tight in the middle overs. With some quick wickets, South Africa need to rebuild their innings. ABD and Du Plessis does so, with some good shots all around the ground.
ABD cannot stick long at the wicket, but Plessis completes his half-century. David Miller is striking the ball clean and the duo score well before the right-hander is gone.
But Miller and JP Duminy finish well to score 310 runs.
India suffer an early setback, Rohit is gone in the fifth over. Kohli, who is one of the best chasers in world cricket, strikes some wonderful boundaries. He is man on a misson. His face says it all. Along with in-form Shikhar Dhawan, the duo reach 150 runs in 23rd over.
They are cruising but India lose two quick wickets of Shikhar and Yuvraj. Kohli is not perturbed with it as he scores yet another second innings ton while Dhoni is accumulating runs in singles. The present and former skipper help India reach the target with few overs to spare.
India, thus, qualify for the semfinals of the Champions Trophy.
