Cricket World Cup 2019, India vs South Africa: India Probable Playing XI, South Africa Probable Playing XI

Virat Kohli-led India are all set to begin their World Cup 2019 campaign against a crisis-hit South Africa at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on Wednesday. South Africa have suffered back-to-back defeats in the World Cup so far, against England and Bangladesh. In their third encounter, South Africa face a tough challenge in India as the two-time champions make a late entry into the ICC showpiece event, having observed the skills of all other participants. South African skipper Faf du Plessis might have to make some crucial changes in the playing XI ahead of the big match on Wednesday, while India would be fielding their best XI.

Opener Hashim Amla, who suffered a blow from a Jofra Archer bouncer in the World Cup opening match South Africa, missed South Africa's last match against Bangladesh that they lost by 21 runs in London on Sunday.

Amla has been declared fit for the India encounter and might replace David Miller in the playing XI.

Miller, who made his way into the team in place of rested Amla, failed to impress much with the willow against Bangladesh. He managed 38 runs off 43 balls, including two boundaries, in a tough chase of 331.

Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi started his World Cup campaign with three big wickets in the World Cup opener, but suffered injury in the next match. Ngidi remained wicket-less in his four-over spell and conceded 34 runs before limping off the field with a hamstring strain in the seventh over of the match.

With Dale Steyn ruled out of World Cup 2019 due to a shoulder injury, all-rounder Dwayne Pretorius remains the only sensible choice in place of Ngidi.

Pretorius played the first match but was dropped in the next after conceding 42 runs without a wicket and losing his wicket for one run.

India, on the other hand, are expected to go with a tried and tested playing XI with fast bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami both likely to be fielded.

Yorker specialist Jasprit Bumrah is not in doubt.

KL Rahul, who scored a century against Bangladesh in a World Cup warm-up match, is expected to bat at much talked about number four slot.

All-rounder Kedar Jadhav has also been declared fit and might bring an advantage with his unusual bowling action in the crucial tie. 

India's wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are both fit and ready and have had dominated the Proteas before. However, the scenario in England may leave space for only one of the two and Chahal may make the cut.

PROBABLE XI:

India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (capt), KL Rahul, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohd Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Dwayne Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir.

SQUADS:

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (capt), KL Rahul, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (capt), David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Beuran Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Hashim Amla, Tabraiz Shamsi.