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[VIDEO] India vs South Africa highlights: 2015 Cricket World Cup live scores, blog

22nd February, 2015
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AB de Villiers of South Africa. (AAP Image/ Joe Castro)
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22nd February, 2015
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Good afternoon and welcome to The Roar‘s coverage of Match 13 of the 2015 Cricket World Cup featuring South Africa up against India at the MCG. You can follow the live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEDT) and leave your comments below.

One of the best stadiums in the world will play host to two of the favourites for this year’s title, in what is sure to be one of the games of the tournament.

With a win already under their belts, South Africa and India will be looking to cement their place at the top of the leader board in Pool B.

While India were short on form in the lead up to the World Cup, their convincing win against Pakistan – to a global audience of no less than 1 billion – has silenced detractors, at least for now.

Continuing his incredible summer with the bat, Virat Kholi impressed with a century. Perhaps more impressive though were the performances of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, whose combined strike rate of 114.1 allowed Kholi to hit the ball with patience and composure.

India’s bowlers played their part, too. Pakistan were disappointed that they were not only unable to chase down 300 runs, but fell 76 runs short. Umesh Yadev and Ravindra Jadeja combined for a lightning spell, in which three Pakistani batsmen were sent back to the change rooms in the space of nine balls.

And just as the Indian batsmen worked as a team to ensure that Kholi could make a classy century, the Indian bowlers all showed great intent to dismantle Pakistan. Ashwin, for example, only took the one wicket, but three of his eight overs were maidens – an extraordinary feat in the modern one-day game.

It will be interesting to see whether the Indian bowlers can continue this form into today’s match against one of the most feared and revered batting line ups in the world.

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AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla – ranked by the ICC as the number 1 and 2 ODI batsmen – are a formidable duo. Their ability to pile on runs at lightning speed is extraordinary. I need not remind you of de Villiers world record breaking century off a mere 31 balls set in January this year… scary.

The bad news for India is that, against Pakistan, neither de Villiers nor Amla were at their best. David Miller (138 not out) and JP Duminy (115) were the ones breaking records and Pakistani hearts, combining for an unprecedented fifth wicket partnership of 256.

In a similar fashion to de Villiers and Amla, neither Dale Steyn nor Morne Morkel were as effective with the ball as they usually are, with spinner Imran Tahir the most economic, picking up three wickets for 36 runs.

I’d expect Steyn and Morkel to fire today, which may spell even more bad news for India.

It may surprise you to learn that despite winning the World Cup twice, India have never beaten South Africa in a World Cup. South Africa, however, are yet to win a World Cup and are desperately trying to break that drought and the shackles of being labelled ‘chokers’.

Prediction: In a match that will go down to the last few overs, South Africa will prevail and go to the top of the leader board for Pool B.

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