Test for Sri Lanka's temperament against confident South Africans  

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Rassie van der Dussen and de Kock share odds of 4.20 to be South Africa’s best batsman  
• Pathum Nissanka has odds of 4.02 to be Sri Lanka's best batsman. 
• Lungi Ngidi has odds of 3.82 to be South Africa's best bowler.  
• Matheesha Pathirana has odds of 4.24 to be the best bowler for Sri Lanka.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

It is South Africa vs. Sri Lanka in the 4th Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, as both sides look to make a positive start. The South Africans come here in the best form they have been in the last four years with a series win against Australia. They have a powerful batting line-up, and they have the edge per conventional betting tips. The Sri Lankans must overcome the demoralizing defeat in the Asia Cup final. They have been found wanting in the two warmup games. The conditions in India will favor them, and the side will look to make full use of it in what promises to be a good contest.  

South Africa Preview      

Temba Bavuma's team has ticked all the boxes regarding their preparation and up on the charts on most betting sites. The side will be happy to face Sri Lanka instead of a more formidable side in its opening game. They have a strong batting line-up and have enjoyed a good record against Sri Lanka in recent years. On paper, they have a stronger and more experienced team than the Lankans, and Bavuma would like to start the proceedings in style.  

The side will like a good show from openers Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock in this game, and both players look in good form.  Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen make it a formidable middle order, and they will look to build partnerships in this game. David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo can up the scoring rate, and the side will expect it from them in this game. 

On the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will test this batting line-up that struggles against express pace. Good spells from them can turn the game in the side's favor. Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj will enjoy the conditions in India, and they will look to trouble the Lankans. With Phehlukwayo and Markram in the mix, they have strong attack.  

Expected Starting XI for South Africa     

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi 

Sri Lanka Preview     

Dasun Shanaka and his men are coming into this game with several setbacks in the past two weeks. The  odds are against them as the side lost both the warmup games and had a batting meltdown in their last ODI game during the Asia Cup final. It is one of the least experienced and weakest Sri Lankan sides in the World Cup. Shanaka would like his players to stick to their strengths and start the tournament with a win.  

Opening has been a concern for this team, and the side will need a strong show from Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne. The middle order is the strength of this batting line-up. The side will expect a good show from Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Shanaka has established his reputation as a great finisher, and he must do well with Dhananjaya de Silva in the final overs.    

Kasun Rajitha and Dunith Wellalage must get early breakthroughs as they can't allow this strong batting line-up to run away with the game. Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana have promised a lot in the last 12 months, and they must deliver the goods for the side to win. Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva bring a lot of experience and add depth to the attack.  

Expected Starting XI for Sri Lanka     

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

In recent games, most sides have preferred to bowl first in Delhi. The wicket is good to chase, but bowling in the evening when the dew factor kicks in can be a big challenge with spinners on the side. Hence, the team that wins the toss won't mind bowling first and chasing under lights.   

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect clear skies over Delhi on October 7. The wicket will be good to bat on, but the slowness may create some doubts in the minds of the batsmen. Fast bowlers won't have much from this surface, but spinners can trouble the batsmen.  The side batting first will like more than 300 runs on the board to feel safe.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Sri Lankan team is battling a confidence issue, as we saw during the warmup games. They must do well with the bat at the top, as batting collapses have become the norm for the side in the last 12 months. The South Africans bat deep and have good hitters, making them confident. They also have an experienced bowling attack, and they are the favorites according to our ICC World Cup betting tips.   

Our Prediction is for South Africa to win