Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith has predicted a thrilling contest between India and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Both South Africa and India have made winning starts in the tournament and would be hoping to continue the winning form.
India is yet to beat South Africa in the World Cups, as the Proteas have got the better of the men in blue in previous three occasions. Smith in his column on BCCI’s official website said that the Sunday’s clash will be a tight affair between the two sides.
The former Proteas pointed out that India captain MS Dhoni will have a crucial role to play in the forthcoming encounter, despite not flourishing with the bat in past few games.
“Whilst MS Dhoni is currently going through a lean patch, I am hesitant to read too much into this as he has proved his match-winning and finishing abilities time and time again over the past 11 years,” Smith said.
Smith also stressed on the importance of getting early wickets and called it a battle between India’s batting and South Africa’s bowling. He added that the Proteas seamers shouldn’t allow India’s top-three batsmen to settle down.
“The Proteas will know the importance of striking up front early so not to allow the top three to set a platform for the middle-order,” he added. “Ultimately, I believe the match will be a contest between the Proteas bowling attack and the India batting line-up.”
