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Eden Gardens pitch helps pacers
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Hardik out of tournament
India v South Africa
Saturday 5 November, 08:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports
India v South Africa World Cup team news
India have suffered a major blow with Hardik Pandya ruled out of the tournament. It leaves them with only five bowlers and and long tail if they keep picking the same XI. Mohammad Shami has been brilliant with the ball but batting at No 8 could alter India's top-order approach.
Probable XI: Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Shreyas, Rahul, Suryakumar, Jadeja, Shami, Kuldeep, Burmah, Siraj
South Africa continue to bulldoze teams. They put together the perfect performance against New Zealand and so far worries about their bowling unit have not been realised. Marco Jansen is in line for player of the tournament with strong performances with bat and ball.
Probable XI: De Kock, Bavuma, van der Dussen, Markram, Klaasen, Miller, Jansen, Coetzee, Maharaj, Rabada, Ngidi
India v South Africa World Cup pitch report
The Netherlands' 229 and Bangladesh's 204 versus Pakistan suggests Eden Gardens has been two-paced. More so when you consider that Netherlands beat Bangladesh by defending that score. This is an unders play on innings runs and there could be even money lays at around that 290 mark.
India v South Africa World Cup match odds
The good news for South Africa is that it is not spin that has been dominant at Eden Gardens. The pacers have been doing the damage.
And with India prone to a wobble following the news about Hardik, now could be the perfect time to take them on.
South Africa will be aggressive with bat and ball and they can get amongst India here. At the least we expect South Africa to trade as favourites from 2.6613/8. A win should see them top the group.
India v South Africa World Cup player bets
Heinrich Klaasen is a go-to wager at 11/26.50 on win rate for top SA bat. He will see competition from the in-form Quinton de Kock, though, who has been boosted to 7/24.50 by Sportsbook. Virat Kohli has been boosted to 10/34.33.
This game is played on his birthday and one should be aware that so long as India win and Kohli doesn't break a leg he will be in the running for man of the match at 7/18.00.