AB fit and raring to have a crack at Kohli & Co

SOUTH AFRICA captain AB de Villiers has won his fitness battle for today’s crunch Champions Trophy showdown with India at The Oval. De Villiers (left) picked up a hamstring problem during Wednesday’s defeat to Pakistan which cast doubt on him playing in a match that will see the winners progress to the semi-finals and the losers head home. The explosive batmen has yet to fire, out for a golden duck – his first in his 221st ODI – against Pakistan having made only four against Sri Lanka. But after confirming he would play today, he insisted he still feels in good touch.

De Villiers, 33, said: “It is a must-win game but we’ve played quite a few of them in the last 12-18 months and had a lot of success in them.

“I’m still in good form, still hitting the ball well. It’s just a matter of going out there and doing it.”

All four teams in Group B have two points from two games, with India leading just ahead of South Africa on run rate. Unless the weather plays a major role in both of the final Group B fixtures – Sri Lanka face Pakistan tomorrow – one of the tournament favourites will be out.

India captain Virat Kohli is determined to ensure that it will not be his team.

He said: “I think you need to have a good balance, being passionate about the game but at the same time not getting over-excited.

“The team who has the most composure will have the better chance of winning.”