ICC World Cup 2019 IND v SA: Predicted playing XI of both teams

Wednesday (5 June) will witness Team India kick off their World Cup campaign when they take on South Africa at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The Virat-Kohli led side will up against a low on confidence South African unit, which will be entering the game on the back of two successive defeats. However, the men in blue will be wary of the talent that the Proteas possess and will be keen on fielding their best to stay ahead in the challenge.

Here are the predicted teams of India and South Africa for the much-awaited encounter.

The squads of both the teams:

India

Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (WK), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav

South Africa

Faf du Plessis (C), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir

Predicted Playing XI

India

With KL Rahul smashing a brilliant hundred in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, the debate over the no 4 spot in the team has been put to rest for now. The remaining batting line-up looks pretty settled with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav likely to take the mantle, while Hardik Pandya will be playing the vital role of an all-rounder.

The Indians might be tempted to go with an extra seamer as hinted by Virat Kohli in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. This might well mean pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar getting a go in the side's World Cup opener.

Predicted Playing XI for India

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

South Africa

After being beaten by England and Bangladesh in their previous two encounters, the Proteas will have their task cut out while locking horns with the mighty Indians on Wednesday. To make things worse, the Faf du Plessis-led side have been dealt a body blow with their pace gun Dale Steyn being ruled out of the tournament. With Lungi Ngidi too missing out due to an injury, the bowling will be majorly shouldered by Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir.

While Hashim Amla's return is likely to provide some solace, all-rounder Dwayne Pretorius is expected to replace Ngidi.

Predicted playing XI

Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (C), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Chris Morris, Dwayne Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir