‘Australia fir bhi jeet sakti hai’ – Fans react as South Africa choose to bat first against Australia in 2nd semi-final of ODI World Cup 2023

South Africa and Australia will encounter the second semi-final match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 16 November. The fans can witness the live action of the match from 2 PM IST. South Africa won the toss in the knockout match and chose to bat first. 

At the toss, the South African team captain Temba Bavuma chose to bat first and said, “We will bat first. Not something I dreamt of. We have come against a team like Australia in the semi-final. Means a lot to me, there’s a game to focus on. Very important to stay in the present. Need to stick to our processes. Shamsi is in for Ngidi, Jansen comes in for Phehlukwayo.” 

After losing the toss the Australian captain Pat Cummins said, “We would have batted first as well. But it is overcast and hopefully, there’s some swing early on. They play a pretty similar style, unfortunately, they have won the last few, we are due. We have been in these positions before. We have a lot of experience. We were not up to our best in those couple of games. But the guys have been positive in the last seven games. Two changes for us. Stoinis and Abbott are out. Maxwell and Starc are in.” 

SA vs AUS Playing XI 

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa and Australia will meet for the third time in the semi-final game and the winner of the knockout match will meet India for the final match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 19 November. 

Look how the fans reacted:

Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to play world cup final with India

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) November 16, 2023

420+ loading #AUSvSA #SAvsAUS #Semifinal pic.twitter.com/vnC9OQK32D

— Hemaram Saran (@saran_hemaram) November 16, 2023

400+ loading

— CONTEXTUAL MEME (@Contextual_Meme) November 16, 2023

Now it’s confirmed South Africa gonna win this match easily
Put score on board ♥️#SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/RCSrlE6kBQ

— Hemaram Saran (@saran_hemaram) November 16, 2023

Bavuma is saying he is not 100% and still he is playing, means South Africa is playing with 10 players in this match…
Bavuma, this is selfish act as you are not even their best batter and still playing

— Praneet Samaiya (@praneetsamaiya) November 16, 2023

Australia shivering

— Kanhaiya Lal Saran (@SaranKL_) November 16, 2023

Big decision by South Africa opting to set the tone by batting first in the crucial semifinal showdown

— ꧁ঔৣ☬Ākhįł☬ঔৣ꧂ (@akhil_nair_777) November 16, 2023

South Africa have won the toss and they’ve decided to win

— ✨ ರನ್ನ (@iamgopi118) November 16, 2023