‘Ashwin may be back in the mix’

With three left-handers in Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and David Miller in the top six, it is imperative that Ashwin who can turn the ball away, would get a look in. 

“When it comes to strategy, Ashwin against left-handers should be preferred choice but I think there’s quality at both ends and you need two good performances at the end of the day,” McKenzie said after his team’s optional net session at the indoor stadium of Lord’s ground. 

However, McKenzie was quick to remind that South Africa had a good record against the Indian spinners during that high-scoring ODI series in 2015. 

“I think they (Ashwin and Jadeja) have all had good records against us specially in Test matches but we will take confidence from the fact that we won the ODI series in India back in 2015. Both teams have got some serious options,” said the former right-handed batsman. He put it nicely when asked about what a high-stakes virtual quarter-final mean to him. 

“If India loses, it’s the defending champion out of the tournament and if it’s South Africa, then No 1 side in the world goes out and we have played some consistent cricket. It’s two fantastic sides playing a quarter final,” he aptly put it.