Perth: While India will look to strengthen their T20 World Cup semifinal hopes, South Africa will eye to gain two points after their Super 12 fixture against Zimbabwe was abandoned due to rain when they lock horns in a bouncy track at Perth Stadium here on Sunday.
India tops the points-table in Group 2 of the Super 12 with 4 points and South Africa are placed second with 3 points, after playing 2 matches each.
India might face a tough challenge from South Africa, which boasts fast bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who can use their heights to make the Indian batsmen hop around on a bouncy track.
India's batting, however, has hit a purple patch with Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav roaring back to form, with their respective fifties against the Netherlands.
Fortunately, Virat Kohli too has roared back to form with a lusty 82 not out against Pakistan and another unbeaten half century against the Netherlands.
The only concern has been KL Rahul, who is yet to fire in the tournament with his bat.
The Indian think-tank however is backing him with batting coach Vikram Rathore making it clear that the out-of-form opener will not be dropped for tomorrow's match against South Africa. There could be an opinion floating around that it would not be wise to make any changes when India is eyeing to strengthen their semifinal hopes.
The onus would be yet again on Kohli to play an impressive innings and the Indian pace attack comprising Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh would like to make an impact on the bouncy Perth pitch.
On the flipside, South Africa are coming into the match after registering an overpowering 104 runs win over Bangladesh. Rilee Rossouw's 56-ball 109 helped South Africa post a mammoth 205/5 and then pacer Anrich Nortje scalped 4 wickets to wrap up Bangladesh innings for a paltry 101.
South Africa have a strong batting lineup including Quinton de Kock, David Miller and a superb bowling attack.
Teams
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), K.L. Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, R. Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Rillee Rossouw, Heinrich Klaasen, Reeza Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen.Match officials: Umpires: Langton Rusere and Richard Kettleborough; TV umpire: Richard Illingworth;
Match starts at 4.30 p.m. IST. (Agencies)
