T20 World Cup: India, South Africa resume familiar rivalry as race for semifinals heats up
Eternally chasing glory in ICC events, South Africa will bank on its big-game stars like Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada to sparkle.
Published : Oct 29, 2022 14:39 IST , Perth
India will take on South Africa in a crucial Super 12 match in Perth. | Photo Credit: AP
Located on the west coast and 3934 kilometres by road from Sydney in the east, Perth is also three hours behind in terms of time-zone. Cricketers need to cope with a long flight besides adjusting their body-clocks. The vagaries of the weather have to be countered too. With rain becoming a permanent shadow in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, a feathery drizzle often moisturised the turf at the Optus Stadium, while the temperature on Saturday noon hovered around 14 degrees.
Later as Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma walked towards the centre square, they were clad in full-sleeved windcheaters while their hands were tucked into their pockets. The pitch had a mild green tinge, the coach crouched low and touched the surface while the Indian captain shadow-practised a glide towards the off-side. After the duo left, the covers were back at a gargantuan venue in a laid-back city with its road signs warning motorists of ducks crossing from the nearby Swan River.
Familiar opponent
In this urban milieu infused with the slow-life, India will take on South Africa in a Super 12 Group 2 match on Sunday night. With two back-to-back victories, the Men in Blue have begun well. Meanwhile, South Africa’s contest against Zimbabwe was washed out, and against Bangladesh, Rillee Rossouw’s ton set the platform for a win. Having hosted South Africa for three T20Is and three ODIs recently, India has a fair knowledge of the rival unit even if the conditions are different and the context is a global tournament with its attendant pressures unlike a bilateral skirmish.
However, there could be warm memory cues from the earlier battles. K.L. Rahul, who did well in the T20Is against South Africa, may draw strength from that, and it is no different for Rossouw, who struck a hundred in Indore. With Pakistan and the Netherlands clashing before India and South Africa turn up, the think-tanks will also get enough live clues on what’s on offer from the 22 yards and tailor their playing elevens.
Firming up chances
With Group 1 enmeshed in the rains, clarity about the semifinalists may take time, but in Group 2, India and South Africa hold the edge. If the weather stays clear, Rohit and his counterpart Temba Bavuma get a chance to further their respective team’s chances for the last-four sweepstakes. Against South Africa’s pace attack, Indian batters need to stay firm and counter-punch. The same holds true for the rival willow-wielders too.
Eternally chasing glory in ICC events, South Africa will bank on its big-game stars like Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada to sparkle. India may have had it easy against the Netherlands in Sydney, but the latest opposition is of a higher mettle. If this hurdle can be handled, Rohit’s men can look ahead at the championship’s business-end. Before that the grim clouds should vacate the skies in a city famous for its fast bowling history at the old WACA Stadium, where men like Dennis Lillee and the West Indies spearheads fired their lightning bolts.