Team India conducted one final practice session ahead of the IND vs SA on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Meanwhile, Indian star batter Virat Kohli was in spotlight during the practice session. Apart from that coach Rahul Dravid also attended a press conference ahead of the much-awaited clash.
When asked about the inclusion of pacer Prasidh Krishna as replacement for Hardik Pandya, Dravid revealed that the team needed a backup option for pace.
“We had a backup for the spin, we had a backup for the batting, and we had a backup in the bowling all around the category. So, we did recognize that if this is a combination we’re going to take, and if there is an issue of an illness, or a small niggle, or an injury, then we need to have a backup for pacers as well”, Dravid said.
Kohli will turn 36 tomorrow, and the team has planned a very special surprise for the tailsman. India are coming off a thumping 337 victory over Sri Lanka and have become the first team to book a semis spot. Rohit Sharma & Co are also the only unbeaten team in the World Cup so far winning seven games.
But they run into a hot form South Africa, who are also coming from a resounding win against New Zealand. The Temba Bavuma-led side have also only one game in the showpiece event so far, and have one foot in the semi-final. India could also face the Proteas in the finals of the World Cup, and hence, the match against them will be crucial for Rohit Sharma and co.
The training session today will give a fair idea of what combination India would opt for against South Africa in the World Cup. With Hardik Pandya ruled out of the World Cup, India will be forced to play either seven batters or five bowlers in the playing XI from SA game.
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IND vs SA: India to decide playing XI in today’s training session
For now, they have opted to go with Suryakumar Yadav as the number six batter and Mohammed Shami as the pacer in the playing. Both players are performing well, with the latter picking 14 games in three games that he has played. But with the Kolkata pitch also aiding spin a bit, India would also be tempted to play Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI as the third spinner.
Ashwin has featured only in one game in the WC so far against Australia in India’s first game in Chennai.
