The fifth game of the ICC World T20 will be played between India and South Africa at St. Lucia. A win for India will ensure that they not only qualify for the second round but also top the group, whereas if South Africa win, then, they will, in probabilities, end up topping the league stage.

India (10/11 at Sky Bet to win the game) goes into the game after having not played a single warm-up match, but beating Afghanistan rather easily in the first game. South Africa (1/1 at Boylesports), on the other hand, played in a couple of warm-up matches and while they beat Sri Lanka in a closely fought encounter, they went down to England. The only reason why South Africa could have their noses in front in this game is that the pitch at St. Lucia is the only one in the tournament which offers the pace bowlers much more help than the rest; something that South Africa will relish more than India.

The Indian batting was largely untested in their game against Afghanistan, thanks to the efforts of their bowlers. However, whatever little was on display, it did look like Gautam Gambhir (7/2 at Totesport to top-score for his side) is currently running out of that form which had seen him become one of the best batsman in this format of the game. Murali Vijay (7/2 at Ladbrokes to top-score for India), is a study of contrast, but will do well to realise that smoking the Afghanistan bowlers across the line for six is one thing, while attempting to do that against the likes of Dale Steyn and co. is quite another!

The good news from an Indian perspective, though, is that Yuvraj Singh (6/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for his side) showed inclination to remain at the crease and try and regain his touch back. After a woeful IPL, one can see Yuvi being one innings away from pumping himself back into form.

South Africa have a couple of questions surrounding their batting order. A fit-again Graeme Smith (7/2 at Totesport) should open with Loots Bosman (7/2 at Stan James, both, to top-score for their side), and there should be a place in the top four for their best current batsman, Jacques Kallis (7/2 at Boylesports to top-score for his side) as well. However, rather surprisingly, they do not have too many reserve batsmen to tinker around with, and that could mean that despite the lack of form, Herschelle Gibbs (11/2 at Boylesports to be the best performer for his side) could end up playing in more games in the tournament than one would have envisioned.

Tips:
Favourites: India (10/11 at Sky Bet)
Top India batsman: Yuvraj Singh (6/1 at Ladbrokes)
Top South Africa batsman: Jacques Kallis (7/2 at Boylesports)