On November 5, India and South Africa will play during the ODI World Cup 2023 match that will determine who finishes top of the table. Starting at 2:00 PM IST, the match will take place in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens stadium. With seven wins out of seven thus far in the 2023 World Cup, the Indian cricket team is playing fantastically.
South Africa, on the other side, has won six of the previous seven games. They have won four straight games since their lone loss against Netherlands, the most recent of which being versus New Zealand by 190 runs.
Taking a look at five players to watch out for ahead of India vs South Africa
1) Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock (Source: Twitter)
When it comes to wicket keeper batters in ODI World Cups, most of the time Quinton de Kock’s name goes under the radar. On the batting-friendly Eden Gardens surface, he may offer an explosive start with his batting average of 77.85.
With the aid of four hundreds, he has scored 545 runs overall in seven matches. He is currently leading the ODI World Cup 2023 scoring lists. With this being his last phase in ODI cricket, the keeper is really giving it his all for his nation.
2) Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)
The skipper of India, Rohit Sharma is playing brilliantly in the ODI World Cup 2023. With a strike rate of 119.64 and an average of 57.42, the opening batsman has amassed 402 runs at a tonne and two half-centuries in just seven games.
Rohit has had a lot of success playing at his favourite hunting ground, Eden Gardens. He scored the 264 run knock at this venue itself midway in his career. India would be hoping for another big one from their skipper in one of their most important games in the tournament.
3) Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)
Former Team India skipper, Virat Kohli has amassed 442 runs across seven innings and five times has scored more than 50 runs. He has a batting average of 57.2 and registered 286 runs in the last four games that he has played.
Virat Kohli would be playing against the Proteas at Eden Gardens on Sunday. He has turned 35 today and fans would be hoping that he delivers at the biggest stage of them all once again. The Indian team supporters are still awaiting his record-equalling 49th hundred in ODI cricket.
4) Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami (Source: Twitter)
The pacer for Team India has become an essential for Team India in the ODI World Cup 2023. Mohammed Shami’s best performance was 5/18 against Sri Lanka. He has claimed 14 wickets with an economy rate of 4.27 across three matches.
Mohammed Shami has an excellent bowling average of 6.71. This speaks volumes of the kind of impact that the speedster has had over Indian bowling. Team India would be hoping that he keeps his form up and delivers once again for the nation.
5) Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram (Source: Twitter)
A rather reliable player who has performed adequately with the bat for South Africa is Aiden Markram. The right-hander has amassed 362 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 117.53 and an average of 60.33, with one century as well as three half-centuries.
The vice-captain of the Proteas side is a crucial figure in the line-up. His ability to change the tide of an innings is second to none for his side. He has won plenty of matches single-handedly for his side, and would be hoping for something similar against the hosts today.
