NEW DELHI: In a high-stakes encounter set to define the group standings at the World Cup, an unbeaten Indian cricket team is gearing up to face a red-hot South African side today. The clash promises to be a fascinating contest, with echoes of the past haunting the minds of Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, who were part of India's victorious 2011 World Cup squad.
The year 2011 still lingers in the memories of many cricket enthusiasts, a year when India clinched the World Cup title. However, one game stands out, the only loss in the entire tournament, a defeat against South Africa. The memory of an unheralded Robin Peterson smashing Ashish Nehra for 19 runs after an Indian batting collapse in Nagpur remains vivid, despite a heroic century by Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli, inching closer to his record-equalling 49th ODI hundred, and Ashwin are the sole remnants of that triumphant 2011 squad within the current team. Their experience could prove invaluable as they revisit a familiar scenario.
Sunday's contest at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata carries more than just prestige; it is a battle for supremacy. Rohit Sharma's men need to guard themselves against complacency and look to replicate the unparalleled feat of the 2007 Australian team, which clinched the World Cup without losing a single game.
A victory in this encounter would secure India's top position in the group with one more match remaining against the Netherlands. However, cricket fans, known for their unwavering passion, may secretly hope for the 'Law of Averages' to catch up before the knockout stage, making the tournament even more thrilling.
Here's India vs South ODI record ahead of their World Cup group game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday:
Overall
India wins: 37
South Africa wins: 50
Tied: 0
No result: 3
