South Africa will kick off their campaign against Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Saturday. Both of these teams will not enter the tournament as favorites but they certainly have the players to take them all the way.
The Proteas have had a history of faltering in the knockout stages of big ICC events but they could not even make it to the semifinals in the 2019 World Cup, registering only three wins in nine matches in England.
Under Temba Bavuma, the Rainbow Nation will aim to get rid of the ghosts of the past. They have players like Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada, who have the skills to take down any opposition on their own.
South Africa also came from behind to win the five-match series against Australia by 3-2 recently and that must have added to their confidence.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka recently made it to the finals of the Asia Cup but they were blown away by India in the summit clash. The Island country has been a bit inconsistent in their performances over the last few years and they cannot afford the same in a tournament like the World Cup.
Wanindu Hasaranga will be a big miss for them but skipper Dasun Shanaka, not in the best of forms, will need to lead from the front.
Match Prediction: South Africa will enter the contest as favorites against Sri Lanka.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne
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