1:15 PM IST South Africa (Playing XI) – Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen (In for Kwena Maphaka), Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada (In for Anrich Nortje), Keshav Maharaj (In for George Linde), and Lungi Ngidi.
1:14 PM IST Pleased by different guys stepping up – The skipper of South Africa, Aiden Markram, on being asked about what has pleased him the most as a captain, says that the way different guys have stepped up and contributed in different situations is something very positive. On the importance of runs on the board in the semifinal, he details that there could be a slight dew factor later on and also shares that even when they trained the last night, there was a bit of moisture around. So he feels that putting the runs on the board in a knockout game is never a bad thing. Says it is all about the way they start. Informs that they are going with three changes in the playing XI, which he calls the more usual combination, as Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen all come back.
1:11 PM IST We need to go out there and just do our thing – New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner says they had a look at the pitch the other night and it looks pretty flat. Mentions that they will try to make early inroads with the ball and restrict South Africa. He acknowledges that South Africa are a strong outfit, as they have shown throughout the tournament, and adds that a little bit of pressure naturally comes with playing in a semifinal. Santner confirms that Matt Henry has made it back in time and features tonight. He also informs that James Neesham returns to the XI, coming in for Ish Sodhi, with the reason for the change being that he does not expect the wicket to turn as much as it did in Colombo.
1:10 PM IST New Zealand (Playing XI) – Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham (In for Ish Sodhi), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson.
1:04 PM IST TOSS – It is coming to toss time at the Eden Gardens. Both the captains – Aiden Markram and Mitchell Santner – are already out with the team sheets exchanged. The always lively Danny Morrison will lead the proceedings. Markram will spin the coin. Santner will call. Tails is the call from Santner. And he calls it right. NEW ZEALAND HAVE OPTED TO BOWL FIRST.
1:02 PM IST Who’s up next for a chat? Lockie Ferguson, it is. Lockie says it was a different style of cricket in Colombo, where teams relied a lot more on spin, and even the composition of the side had to change accordingly. He adds that quite a few players in the squad have played at this venue before, which helps with understanding the conditions. According to him, Eden Gardens is not too dissimilar to other Indian grounds, with a good batting track and a quick outfield. Ferguson shares that they know South Africa will come hard at them, so it will be about putting the ball in the right areas for long enough. He says it is an exciting occasion and the boys are up for it. When asked about how Matt Henry is tracking after the long travel, Lockie replies that he is doing great and adds that he has never seen him down. He mentions that the pacer will go through a fitness test and hopes that everything goes well.