How India and South Africa got themselves into this position, they themselves might find difficult to explain. What most thought would just be a match for top spot in Group B has now turned into a virtual quarterfinal in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Following emphatic wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively, India and South Africa looked nailed on to qualify for the semifinals. However, first the Proteas batsmen failed to show up against Pakistan, before it was the turn of the India bowlers to choose the wrong day to have an off day.
Now, thanks to those defeats, India vs South Africa is a winner-take-all contest, with the losing side taking a flight back home and the winning team entering the semifinals.
Being the champions, there will be a little more pressure on India to win this game. One of the pre-tournament favourites, India need to bring that all-round game into play if they are to stop South Africa from knocking them out.
They might need to rethink a strategy or two as well for this must-win contest.
The openers have given India two great starts so far in this ICC Champions Trophy, but there is a question to be asked: Could they be more aggressive in the first Powerplay, instead of just thinking about keeping wickets in hand.
To be fair, both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been fantastic in CT 2017, so they are not the reason behind India's worries.
That rethink in strategy could come in the bowling attack, which looked blunt against Sri Lanka. R Ashwin has been left out of both matches so far, but the off-spinner could come in for either Umesh Yadav or Bhuvneshwar Kumar – or maybe even Kedar Jadhav, considering he has hardly had a bat in the tournament.
Ashwin has a chance to play also due to the fact that South Africa, as they showed against Pakistan, are vulnerable against spin.
The Proteas, though, will come prepared for whatever India plan to throw at them. At the end of the day, they will need to back that strong batting lineup of theirs.
AB De Villiers hasn't quite hit his straps yet and is due a big knock, while Quinton de Kock loves playing against the Men in Blue.
With the bowlers in reasonable nick, this match is going to come down to the one per centers – the team that does those small things better will seal a spot in the semifinals.
India vs South Africa: ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Group B match.
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2017.
Time: 10.30am BST, 3pm IST, 5.30am ET, 11.30am SA time.
Venue: The Oval, London.
TV guide: India: DD National, Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1. South Africa: SuperSport 2. UK: Sky Sports 2. Australia: Fox Sports. USA: Willow TV. New Zealand: Sky Sport. Middle East: OSN Sports Cricket. Singapore: Star Cricket.
