What Match 13 of the ICC 2015 World Cup, between India and South Africa When Sunday, February 22, 2015 - 09:00 IST Where Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia The teams India The win over Pakistan was a big one for India – not because it came against the traditional rivals but as it helped them arrest their run of losses in their very first match of the World Cup. It also enabled them to spend the week gone by since with a positive mindset ahead of probably their toughest game in the league phase. Despite that win, MS Dhoni will know better than to deem everything is hunky dory with his unit. It was a pretty weak Pakistani unit that India defeated by 76 runs. The South Africans will pose a challenge much bigger and more intense. The standard of cricket from India will have to rise several notches to get over the line this time. The good news is the top-order has struck form, just in time. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are crucial to India’s batting in their own contrasting ways. A century partnership between them must have put a relieving smile on the captain’s face. The fast bowling trio of Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma Umesh Yadav did well in Adelaide, although against the Proteas they might not get as much help from the batsmen as they did against Pakistan. The margin of error will be narrowed to a considerable level against the likes of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. The 256-run stand (178 balls) between JP Duminy and David Miller against Zimbabwe should induce the Indian bowlers to pay special attention to accuracy and discipline in the death. An official statement from Team India has said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has recovered from his ankle injury and is available for selection. South Africa The Proteas have warmed up into the tournament with a win against Zimbabwe. Although the margin of victory, 62 runs, looks pretty comprehensive on paper, the fact that they were 83 for 4 at one stage would not be lost on them. They also let Zimbabwe get to 277 in their pursuit of 339. The win against Zimbabwe came at Seddon Park, Hamilton – a rugby ground posing as a cricket venue, with boundaries that converts top-edges into sixes. The MCG, the cricket ground with perhaps, the biggest outfield, will be a stark contrast and the Proteas will have to alter their strategies and shot-selection accordingly. Key players India The show was stolen by the batsmen against Pakistan. The wickets went to the fast bowlers. But one man who played a major role in ensuring the runs scored by the batsmen were enough and that there was pressure at the other end for the pacers to feed off from, was R Ashwin. Three of his first five overs were maidens, with figures of 1 for 14. It disrupted the fluency of Pakistan’s chase and created the run-rate pressure. Rash strokes followed and the pacers benefitted. Against South Africa’s formidable middle-order, the importance of Ashwin’s role in the middle overs cannot be overstated. South Africa With AB de Villiers, David Miller and JP Duminy, South African middle-order is fuelled with tremendous power. It was on its mightiest display in Hamilton. But, as stated earlier, at the MCG the challenge will be to keep the runs flowing even as the boundaries as not as readily available. It will require smart manipulation of the field, shrewd placement and patience. If the stroke-playing South African middle-order batsmen can show a versatile approach in this regards, it will bode well for the team. Stats Average first innings score at MCG (overall): 219 Average first innings score at MCG (since 2000): 252 Average second innings score at MCG (overall): 192 Average second innings score at MCG (since 2000): 195 Result summary at MCG:

Head-to-head:

Last meeting between both sides in World Cup: Mar 12, 2011- India 296 (48.4 overs), South Africa 300-7 (49.4 overs). South Africa won by 3 wickets Form guide (most recent listed first): India: W, L, NR, L, L South Africa: W, W, L, W, W Pace vs Spin at MCG (Who has been more effective) since 2000

Trivia India have never beaten South Africa in a World Cup match. They have never lost to South Africa in an ICC Champions Trophy match! AB de Villiers is 16 short of 7,500 runs in One-Day Internationals. He will become the quickest to reach this mark. Squads India: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma