World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli's India begins campaign against 'stunned' South Africa
India vs South Africa
Virat Kohli-led Team India will start their 2019 World Cup campaign against South Africa today at Southampton.
All the participating teams have played at least one match in the ongoing edition and now the 'Men in Blue' will begin their quest to win the World Cup for the third time.
South Africa, on the other hand, have had a disappointing start in the World Cup, losing both matches they have played so far. They lost to hosts England by 104 runs, then slipped to a 21-run loss to Bangladesh on Sunday.
It couldn't get worse for captain Faf du Plessis after star pacers Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi suffered injuries.
Ngidi will back in the squad within the next 10 days but legendary fast bowler Steyn has been ruled out of the tournament after failing to recover from ashoulder injury.
India, however, are fresh and are all geared up for their campaign opener.
India will bestarting their campaign late but skipper Virat Kohli termed it as team's "advantage" as the players are well aware of the conditions and pitchbehaviour.
Conditions:
The forecast suggests that Southampton will be cloudy and there could be light showers but chances of a downpour are very less. However, it had rained here a day earlier, so the Indian cricket fans will be keeping their fingers crossed.
Overall, the conditions suggest that it is going to be a batting-friendly match, similar to what we have seen in the last ODI contest at this venuebetween England and Pakistan in which 734 runs were scored in 100 overs.
Head-to-head:
India and South Africa's ODI rivalry has a long history considering the number of matches they have played together.
Both the team have played a total of 83 ODI matches, India have won 34 and South Africa has emerged victorious in 46 games.
Three matches have ended without any result.
In World Cups, both the teams have met four times and South Africa have won thrice.
But since 2012, India has defeated South Africa in all five ICC events (not bilateral series) they have played which includes the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy, in 2012 and 2014 World T20 and in the 2015 World Cup.