Champions Trophy 2017 | Not optimistic about India's chances against South Africa, says Sunil Gavaskar

India will take on South Africa tomorrow in a bid to secure a semi-final spot and keep the hopes of a successful title defence alive. However, India's record against the Proteas has been quite shabby in the recent past. India last won an ODI series against the South African side on their home turf in the 2009-2010 series following which the Proteas have dominated the proceedings with consecutive series win over the men in blue in 2010-2011, 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 both at home and away from it.

India narrowly lost the 2015-16 series against South Africa when they suffered a 5-run loss in the decider after levelling the series 2-2 in the previous match to eventually lose out on the series. The original little master noted the fact when asked to assess India's chances in the virtual quarterfinal.

"India's record against South Africa hasn't been good. If you take a look at what happened a couple of years back when South Africa were in India, they walloped India, so I am not too comfortable, not too optimistic about what is going to happen on Sunday," Gavaskar told NDTV.

However, the 67-year old stated that he would be delighted to be proved wrong and that can happen if India field and bowl better than they have in the previous matches especially the spinners who could hurt the Proteas like the Pakistani spinners did.

"I would be delighted to be proven wrong by an Indian team that plays well, than they have so far in the previous games and fields a lot better.  If spinners bowl well, just like Pakistani spinners did against South Africa then who knows?," Gavaskar concluded.

Gavaskar also suggested that England will overcome Australia in today's game at Edgbaston.