CT 2017: India v South Africa, Game 11 – Match Result Predictions

The 11th match of the ICC Champions Trophy will witness India taking on South Africa at the Kennington Oval, London. All the previous matches on this venue have been high scoring and given the strength in the batting of these 2 sides, we might be in for another run-feast. It will be a virtual quarter-final as the winners will make it to the semis and the losers will fly back home. A Sunday just can’t get better than this.

India began with a bang by defeating their arch-rivals Pakistan in the first game. It was a thoroughly professional performance as the opposition wasn’t given even a sniff in the match. In the next match against Sri Lanka, they would have fancied their chances at the halfway stage having scored 321 batting first. But to everyone’s surprise, the Lankan Lions chased down the target leaving the Indian bowlers wondering what hit them all of a sudden.

On the other hand, South Africa too have a similar pattern to their campaign so far. First, they dominated Sri Lanka and comfortably won the match. But they were stunned by a spirited Pakistan side. The rain didn’t help their cause either and they lost by DLS method. But it was the poor batting performance where they lost the game. Now, the task only gets tougher as they face the defending champions.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: India wins the toss

Toss prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 300-310

Result prediction: India will win the match by 5 wickets

Scenario 2: South Africa wins the toss

Toss prediction: South Africa will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 330-340

Result prediction: India will win the match by 20-30 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 81, India Won – 28, South Africa Won – 45, No Result/Abandoned – 8

Matches in England: Total Matches – 5, India Won – 2, South Africa Won – 3

South Africa have dominated India in the ODI history but what’s in the present, matters the most. In 2 previous ICC ODI events, India have got the better of the Proteas. They won against them in the previous edition of the Champions Trophy and also in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Shikhar Dhawan scored a hundred in both the matches. South Africa have had a history of choking in crucial matches and that’s where India have the advantage.

Playing Combinations

India:

The Indian openers have done a tremendous job so far having mustered a partnership of over a 100 in both previous matches. Rohit Sharma has two fifties whereas Shikhar Dhawan scored a hundred and fifty. Virat Kohli after getting a duck in the previous game will be expected to come hard. Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni have played a game-changing knock each. Hardik Pandya will have his work cut out at the death if Kedar Jadhav misses out.

The biggest change expected in the bowling line-up is the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin. The South Africans, historically, are not great players of spin bowling, something that was evident against Pakistan. Ravindra Jadeja would also look to erase the lackluster from the last game and fancy his chances. The pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah would also seek resurgence after a poor show.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav

South Africa:

The batting line-up put up a dismal show against Pakistan which had much to do with the under par performances of the openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. Faf du Plessis too couldn’t last long and the skipper AB de Villiers departed for a golden duck. All the remaining batsmen failed barring JP Duminy who scored a half-century. It won’t be easy for them now to face the world-class spinners of India.

Morne Morkel was the only bowler who was impressive in the last game. He bagged 3 wickets for just 18 runs in 7 0vers and kept the side in the hunt until rain interrupted. All the other bowlers will have a stern challenge against the strong batting line-up of India which has amassed scores in excess of 300 on both their previous occassions. The short ball strategy could well be in place given the vulnerability of the Indian batsmen against that type of bowling.

Predicted XI: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(wk), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers(c), JP Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel

While it is extremely difficult to predict the winner as both the sides are equally good on paper. It might come down to which side holds the nerves better in the crunch game. Given the history of South Africa in such matches, odds are they might falter again and India might just continue the wonderful run in ICC Events.

South Africa don’t do well in pressure games and hence considering that factor, India would be the favorites to enter the semi-finals.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.