Both teams arrive into this clash on the back of being unbeaten teams in their respective groups. While South Africa played and won all three of their league matches in Ahmedabad, India are playing at this venue for the first time in the competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt looks like a really good wicket - a lot drier than the previous one we came across here - so we\u2019re not expecting that early tackiness. We think it\u2019s going to be a good surface throughout, and hopefully we can put a nice big score on the board. The boys are in good touch, which is always a blessing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not taking that for granted, but it\u2019s a good space to be in at the moment. The guys have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes to maintain that form and confidence. We\u2019ve been fortunate to play a couple of games here before.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a different wicket this time - black soil - but generally this is a high-scoring ground and an entertaining venue. As players, that\u2019s what you look forward to being part of, and hopefully tonight is no different,\u201d said Markram after winning the toss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said they are fielding an unchanged playing eleven, which means vice-captain Axar Patel has been left out with Washington Sundar retaining his place. \u201cI was actually looking to bat first, but it\u2019s okay and we\u2019re happy to bowl first. It\u2019s very harsh on Axar Patel, but we\u2019re going with the same team - just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Talking about the preparation for this clash, Suryakumar said, \u201cWe played here two or three days back and when they were bowling first, there was a little bit in the wicket, so why not take that advantage? It\u2019s a big game, a great occasion for everyone to step up and show their character.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a full house tonight, hopefully, and we\u2019ve got a good game for them. It\u2019s the business end now, so you\u2019ve got to bring your A-game. We do have three league games, but you have to deliver that punch from ball one, and I think tonight is the right time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll look to bring good energy on the field, follow our good habits, and take whatever result comes our way. The pitch looks quite similar to the previous black soil surface we played on, just one strip away, not too much change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Playing XIs:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll look to bring good energy on the field, follow our good habits, and take whatever result comes our way. The pitch looks quite similar to the previous black soil surface we played on, just one strip away, not too much change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngid<\/p>\r\n\r\n