History can indeed repeat itself and Protea cricket fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that it happens again on Sunday at Eden Gardens.
After all, the South Africans settled with India in a World Cup match on their home ground in 2011 and a similar performance will give the Proteas’ 2023 silverware dream a definite boost.
“It is always a huge challenge to play against India in India,” said Rassie van der Dussen.
The 34-year-old batsman was named the player of the match on Wednesday after the Proteas settled with New Zealand in Pune.
Van der Dussen scored 133 runs in the showdown and he is one of the Protea batsmen who is making the World Cup thick.
Along with Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram, he is among the leading run-scorers in the tournament, while his strike rate of 95 is also not to be underestimated.
South Africa is currently one of the few teams that can not only hold a candle to the undefeated Indians, but can also turn heads on their home ground.
“We have played against them here in India before and dealt with them. If we now play as we can again, we can find ourselves in a very favorable position on the field.”
Van der Dussen and De Kock have already enjoyed a batting partnership of 200 runs twice in the tournament and their flashing bats regularly put their opponents under pressure.
According to the Lions batsman, it is a privilege to play with De Kock on the international one-day cricket stage for the last time. The Protea wicket-keeper is packing away his gloves in this format of the game after the tournament.
“He is more determined than ever and it is very nice to bat with him. He helped me a lot in my innings against New Zealand and his calm approach to the game is definitely an asset.”
South Africa play India on Sunday and the action will be broadcast live on SuperSport from 10:30.
Results of previous World Cup matches between South Africa and India:
1992 in Adelaide: South Africa win by six wickets
1999 in Hove: South Africa win by four wickets
2011 in Nagpur: South Africa win by three wickets
2015 in Melbourne: India win by 130 runs
2019 at Southampton: India win by six wickets.
