World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev feels that India's top-order batsmen need to take more responsibility against South Africa, who have a potent bowling attack led by the dangerous Dale Steyn.
"We need to play out the first 15 overs well and build the innings from there on. Our openers would need to negotiate the South African bowlers or else it will be chasing the game all along," Kapil said.
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The former all-rounder, who led India to the World Cup title in 1983, believes if a batsman gets set he should take the responsibility of carrying on till the end.
"If you score a hundred within 40 overs of the innings, it is your responsibility to take the team home and not lose your wicket after your personal landmark. The set batsman should look to play till about 45-46 overs to ensure that the new batsmen do not lose their wickets while looking for quick runs," Kapil said.
Though India's bowlers performed well against Pakistan with Mohammed Shami leading from the front, scalping four to flatten the Misbah-ul-Haq-led side, Kapil feels the bowlers need to swing the ball early on as South African batsmen may pose a tougher challenge.
"The bowlers need to bowl in right areas against the Proteas. The South African batsmen are different from Pakistan and have more practice to play on bouncy tracks. The bowlers will need to swing the ball early to make inroads," Kapil said.
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India have never won against South Africa in a World Cup, losing to them in 1992, 1999 and 2011.
Kapil, who was part India's campaign in 1992, opines that Proteas has been a good but unlucky side.
"South Africa have been unfortunate in the World Cup with the game rules going against them a couple of time. They always had a balanced side and this side with the likes of Amla, De Villiers and Steyn is definitely one of the favourites in this World Cup," he concluded.
