TOP FIVE CLASHES

As India and South Africa get ready for a virtual quarterfinal, HT takes a look at the possible individual rivalries:

ROHIT SHARMA VS IMRAN TAHIR

This will be an exciting contest as both players are having a dream run in the Champions Trophy . While Sharma missed out on centuries in both the games, with scores of 91 and 78, Tahir jointly leads the bowling list for his side with four wickets. Sharma’s weakness towards spin had been exposed in the IPL, with the Mumbai Indians captain falling to spinners on eight occasions out of the 13 times he was dismissed.

SHIKHAR DHAWAN VS KAGISO RABADA

The southpaw usually likes to go after the bowlers right from the start, but of late, he seems to have changed his batting style a bit and plays according to the conditions. In the IPL, he and skipper David Warner switched roles. However, he’ll face a much more polished pace attack and it won’t be easy to just stand and deliver.

RAVINDRA JADEJA VS AB DE VILLIERS

The South African skipper is going through a bad patch and it’s affecting his side, as the middle order isn’t delivering as much as it should have. The IPL hadn’t turned out to be a good tournament for him as well and De Villiers will hope to get the monkey off his back. But he will have to check his shots against Ravindra Jadeja, turning the ball away from him.

BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR VS FAF DU PLESSIS

This will be another exciting contest as Kumar has the ability to swing the ball both ways while darting one back in from outside the offstump. Du Plessis has already twice been dismissed by seam bowlers in the Champions Trophy and he has to be extremely cautious while playing Kumar on Sunday.

VIRAT KOHLI VS MORNE MORKEL

Kohli had played an unbeaten knock of 81 against Pakistan. Against South Africa, regardless of whether Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provide them another classic start upfront, Kohli will have to deliver. It may not be easy facing the SA bowling attack in English conditions.