Team India are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The Men in Green have registered comprehensive wins over teams like Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka.
As a result, the Rohit Sharma-led side has already qualified for the semi-finals with two league matches to spare.
The hosts will face South Africa in a top of the table clash at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday (November 5).
In an exclusive chat with India Today, former skipper Sourav Ganguly has said that the India-South Africa showdown will be the best game of this World Cup.
“This is a big match between two of the best teams of this World Cup. To beat India will be very difficult. South Africa is also playing good cricket but to beat India will be a huge task. I think this game will be the best match of the tournament so far,” Ganguly stated, before he showered rich praise on India’s pace battery.
The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj have taken the cricketing world by storm with their stunning exploits.
“This is a very good attack. We are enjoying this pace attack, the way they all are bowling, Siraj, Shami and Bumrah. Bumrah's return has made a massive difference to the team and has a massive impact on the other two pacers,” Ganguly added.
Widely regarded as one of the finest batters of the modern era, Virat Kohli has been in terrific form with the bat in this World Cup, amassing 442 runs from seven innings at an average of 88.40, including one hundred and four half-centuries.
Kohli is only one hundred away from equalling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's astonishing record of 49 tons in ODI cricket, and Ganguly wants the star batter to achieve this milestone in Kolkata.
“This is a very good wicket and the outfield is quick. It will be a very good wicket, it will have bounce pace and the outfield is very quick. This wicket normally produces good runs, hopefully Rohit Sharma gets a century and India goes into the semifinal as the no.1 team. Virat is one of the greats. Will be great if he gets his 49th ODI ton at the Eden Gardens, he did come close to scoring it a few times in the tournament,” he said.
Sourav Ganguly also expressed his desire to see the India versus Pakistan final in Kolkata. Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 21 runs (DLS method) to keep their semi-final hopes alive on Saturday (November 4).
“I want Pakistan to reach here at Eden Gardens and play India in the semi finals. There won't be a bigger game than that. Entire India should be happy the way this Indian team is playing. There has been a stark difference between this India team and the other teams in the tournament. Hope they continue to play like this and I don't think their level will drop so much that they will fail,” said Ganguly.
