Wednesday, September 19, 2007

India vs South Africa Twenty20 World Cup Preview

India vs South Africa upcoming Super Eight match will be held at the Kingsmead, Durban on 20 September. The will be the last match of Group E in Twenty20 World Cup 2007. The match is very crucial both for India and South Africa. So, fans of both sides are now eagerly waiting for this important match. The winner of this match will automatically enter into the semi final round of Twenty20 world cup. South Africa will have chance even they lose the match. However, for India, there is no alternative of win in the next match against South Africa.

South Africa has already won their first two matches of Super Eight stage and they are now on the verge of getting into the semi final round of Twenty20 world cup. South Africa has now 4 points. On the other hand, India lost their first match against New Zealand and then they went on to claim a tremendous victory over England in their second match. New Zealand has already played their three super eight matches in which they won two matches and lost one. So, New Zealand has also 4 points. Now, if India wins the next match against South Africa then India will also have four points.

All three teams- New Zealand, South Africa and India will have to go through the calculation of net run rate and the top two teams with higher run rate will enter into the semi final stage. However, at this moment, India and South Africa are ahead of New Zealand in terms of run rate. So, the winner of the India vs South Africa match will easily enter into the semi final round.

For South Africa, there will be chance even if they lose against India. Then they have to beat New Zealand in run rate. As South Africa is now ahead of New Zealand in run rate, they will have advantage over New Zealand. On the other hand, run rate of India is now behind South Africa but ahead of New Zealand run rate. So, India requires a win over South Africa.

As India got an excellent victory against England, their players will be inspired to do well against South Africa. Twenty20 world cup is being held in South Africa. So, no doubt, the fans of South Africa now wish to win the title of first world cup in Twenty20 format. South Africa will have home advantage in the match against India. South Africa has not lost any match in this world so far. That is why; it will really be very hard for India to defeat South Africa in the way to reach at the semi final stage of Twenty20 World Cup.

India started Twenty20 world cup defeating their arch rival Pakistan and they became the group champion. However, in the first match in Super Eight round, India lost to New Zealand in a close match by just 10 runs though at one point, India was though to win the match easily. India came back in the next match against England as they defeated the English side by 18 runs. India had a sheer dominance over England in the match. Indian batsmen were up to the mark in the match. Opening partnership Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag made a 136 run partnership in 14.4 overs. Virender Sehwag scored 68 off 52 balls in which he hit four boundaries and three over boundaries. His opening partner Gautam Gambhir was also in aggressive mode hitting seven boundaries and one over boundaries in his 41 ball 58 runs. However, it was Yuvraj Singh who made two world records in Twenty20 cricket while playing a valiant innings of 58 runs facing just 16 balls. In the way of playing such a tremendous innings, he scored six 6’s in one over becoming the first batsmen to have this distinction in Twenty20 format of cricket. Moreover, he completed his half century in 12 balls which is also a record in Twenty20 format. So, naturally he was the person who made the different between India and England in the match. Yuvraj Singh was the ultimate choice for the man of the match award.

On other hand, South Africa also won against New Zealand in style. South Africa defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets. Morne Morkel took four wickets for South Africa and big hitter Justin Kemp scored 89 runs facing just56 balls. So, you can understand that how much confident the South African players are at present.

So, India has to face a strong determined South Africa in the important match and India also has to have the same kind of determination to win the match against South Africa.

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