The titanic world cup group clash between India and the Proteas on February 12, 2011 is eagerly awaited.  A win for South Africa will increase their chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals.  If India win, they will get a stranglehold on the top position in the group which will result in a relatively weaker opponent in the quarterfinals.  One thing is certain, this is the litmus test for India in this world cup.  A comprehensive win against the Proteas will set the confidence ball rolling for Team India. Whoever wins this tie will march ahead with a sense of achievement and belief of conquering greater heights.  This tie is sure to extend the thrills of the recent ODI series between them to this world cup.

South Africa is one of the few best balanced teams in this edition.  While India can boast of a better batting line-up, Graeme Smith’s men can take pride in their batting, fielding and especially, bowling.  Their latest find Imran Tahir has raised quite a few eyebrow in their initial matches with his very impressive performances.  Though he is unlikely to cause much panic in the Indian camp, his broken finger has given the Proteas a chance to hide him behind the sightscreen for this match.  This may act as a dual strategy as they can prevent the chinks in his armour from being exposed and also ensure he is fit and back in contention to torment the opposition after his 10 day recommended rest.

The initial matches have exposed the much feared inconsistency in the Indian performance.  Out of the four matches played so far, Indian batting excelled in two while their bowling rose to the occasion in the remaining two.  The worrying factor is that their batting and bowling are yet to click in unison.   With the skipper himself helpless about Indian fielding,  we need to accept to live with this thorn in the flesh.  The matches played so far by India have proved one sided alteast upto a certain stage before India made them a close contest.  This match could not have come at a better time.  With India set to start their knock-out campaign soon, the taming of the Proteas, the best on paper, will send a message to the rest that India are no paper tigers.  This match will undoubtedly test the Indians to the hilt and it is an opportunity for India to show that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

The time for experimentation with team composition is now over for Dhoni.  He needs to get the playing XI right henceforth and there is no room for any goof-ups.  The big question on everyone’s lips is whether Raina and Ashwin in particular, will get a look-in and if they are in the scheme of things.

It is set to be a cracker of a game.  The Indian batsmen and bowlers in particular will get no better platform to showcase their talent and mettle.  A fine show by Harbhajan will give him enough confidence to tread through the rough terrain ahead.  In a “four-ball better ball” format in golf, it is ok if the partners do not marvel in the same hole provided they alternate each other.  But here, the Indian batsmen and bowlers need to gel and excel together if they want to surpass the Protean challenge.

A win here will be the first step towards the world cup or a hand on the cup whereas a defeat will prove a wake-up call or an undesirable slide or glide.  It is for Dhoni and his men to test drive their skills and and address and sort out the glitches. 

A win here will increase India’s confidence and alongwith it, their fans’ expectations and ofcourse, the pressure of winning the cup too!

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Venkat Balantrapu is currently a NRI and is in senior insurance management in Dar es Salaam. He has played cricket passionately for over two decades at various levels in as well as outside India and continues to write on the sport with the same passion.

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