COUNTDOWN TO INDIA Vs SA MATCH 2DAYS TO GO

Hashim Amla loves bowling, in any format.  The right-hander is way above the others.  His record against India is excellent, both home and away.  He is adept at playing spin and pace and scores at a fast rate.  He is also very good in finding the gaps into the fields.  Indian bowlers would love to see his back as soon as possible.

Match 12, Runs 632, Avg 57.45, Strike Rate 90.67, 100s 2, 50s 5.

AB de Villiers is without doubt among the best batsmen in the world cup right now.  With a wide range of strokes, he is very difficult to contain once he gets going.  The right-hander has the ability to take the game away single handedly.  Of late, he has done well against India.  He is expected to shepherd the south African middle order and set the pace during death overs.

Match 22, Runs 891, Avg 46.89, SR 105.31, 100s 3, 50s 5.

The speedster Dale Styen likes to feast on Indian batting.  His average, strike rate and economy against India are better than his overall career statistics.  Barring Virat Kohli, none of the Indian batsmen have handled Styen well.  Who can forget his match-winning spell against India in the 2011 WC, when he brought Proteas back in the game with a fiery spell?

Match 3, Wkts 23, Avg 19.17, Econ 4.54, SR 25.3.

After his brilliant debut against west Indies at home, Mohammed Shami needed to show that he could bowl equally well against a quality side like South Africa.  In the 2013-14 series, he troubled South African batsmen with his fuller lengths.  The wickets in Australia are similar and he will have do an encore.

M 3, Wkts 9, Avg 20.55, Econ 6.60, SR 18.6.

He has shown that he loves performing on the big stage.  He was the difference between the two sides during the India-SA semifinal in the T-20 WC last year.  South Africa are the only test nation whom he hasn't scored an ODI hundred, a statistic the dashing batsman will surely hope to get out of the way.

M 13, Runs 344, Avg 34.4o, 50s 3, SR 77.47.

He was selected despite injury worries, which clearly underlines his importance.  The all-rounder provides much-needed balance and has the ability to hold the lower order.  It was his aggressive 29 ball 47 in the Champions Trophy in England, which took the game away from South Africa.  How he bowls against De Villiers & Co in the middle overs will decide the fate of the game.

M 7, Wkts 8, Avg 36.62, Runs 160, Best 47*, Avg 40.