World Cup 2015: Ian Chappell Sure India can Vanquish South Africa, Says Proteas are Inconsistent
The South African team has a feared bowling attack this World Cup. Former Australia captain Ian Chappell though, tells NDTV that he is not too impressed by the Proteas and India can beat them if the team plays the way they did against Pakistan.
South Africa may have never won a World Cup but the team is a firm favourite in the 2015 edition Down Under. Despite a few early jitters, the Proteas beat Zimbabwe by 62 runs in Hamilton in their opening fixture but now face defending champions India in Melbourne. For all their prowess and fiery brand of cricket though, former Australia captain Ian Chappell is quite unimpressed with the side and feels India can subdue them with quality cricket. (Complete coverage of World Cup 2015)
India won their first World Cup 2015 match against rivals Pakistan. Chappell tells NDTV that if they play the same way, the team can overcome South Africa for their second consecutive win in Pool B of the tournament. "India have the best chance to beat South Africa. If they play like they did against Pakistan, if they can get the same out of captain Dhoni, they can win," said Chappell. (Also read: Dale Steyn has the flu)
Interestingly, India have never won against South Africa in four World Cup meetings. (Also read: Ashwin hit in the nets | Rift in Team India? Media manager says coach Fletcher still the boss)
South Africa are ranked third in ODIs at the start of the World Cup - one behind India. Chappell however, is not too impressed by the Proteas' lineup. "I keep hearing people say South Africa have the best attack in the competition. But I am not so sure about that," he said.
"(Dale) Steyn is a very fine bowler but Morne Morkel is very inconsistent, Vernon Philander is not that quick. Imran Tahir got smashed by Australia recently and Indians play spin bowling better than Australians do. It is a big opportunity for India."ÂÂ
The trump card for South Africa this Sunday may not be in their playing XI as much as in their support staff. With the likes of former pacer Allan Donald and Aussie veteran Mike Hussey guiding them, and former India coach Gary Kirsten joining them, AB de Villiers can hope to devise well-worked out plans to down Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co.
Chappell though negates the impact of support staff in a cricket match. "The only way Hussey and Kirsten can hurt India is if the Indians let them. On a given day, it is about how the cricketers play," he said. (Also read: South Africa legends plot India's downfall)
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar agreed but conceded that India will have to step up to tackle South African bowling. "There is no doubt that they have a better bowling attack than us. If our batsman can play sensibly early on and not attack too much, it would be good," he told NDTV.