ICC World Cup 2019 Match 8: 3 reasons why India will beat South Africa in Southampton

Team India is all set to kickstart its World Cup campaign. Locking horns with South Africa at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, the men in blue will begin their quest to regain the coveted title, after giving it away to Australia in 2015.

Entering the fray as one of the firm favourites to win the title this year, the mighty Indians will be determined to get off the mark in style. And given the current state of their opponents on Wednesday, the task might end being much easier than expected.

Here are 3 reasons why India will end up beating South Africa on Wednesday.

#1 A daunting batting line-up

The Indian batting unit is certainly among the strongest ones in the competition. While the trio of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli can win the game single-handedly on their day, the likes of KL Rahul, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya form a powerful middle-order and can wreak havoc if the top order fails, as was the case in India's warm-up match against Bangladesh.

Also, given the fact that South Africa will be taking the field without the services of Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi, the Indian batsmen will be itching to flaunt their prowess at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

#2 A well-oiled bowling machinery

Complementing the Indian batting perfectly is the well-oiled bowling machinery of the team. From making early inroads to strangling the run flow at the death, the men in blue seem to possess a well-balanced attack for different stages of an innings.

With Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami likely to make the first XI on Wednesday, the pace battery appears to be in a sound form. Left arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be Virat Kohli's trump card with the ball and the young talent will be raring to go against the South Africans, given his good run of form against them.

#3 A low on confidence South African side

South Africa's recent form in the tournament has left their fans with plenty to worry about. After being thrashed by England in the first game, the Proteas were humbled by Bangladesh in their second encounter. While the bowling lacks the spite that is generally associated with their mettle, the batting looks low on confidence. Moreover, the unavailability of Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi has exacerbated their situation.

India, wary of their opposition's woes, will be looking to take a full toll of a shaky South African unit on Wednesday.