Eden Gardens Pitch Insights: The Eden Gardens pitch, initially favoring batting, progressively loses pace. As the innings progress, spinners become pivotal, exploiting the surface’s grip. Seamers, facing a less responsive ball, resort to cutters towards the end. Chasing becomes a formidable task under the lights, with increased ball movement and a more challenging batting surface. Strategic adaptability is key for success in both batting and bowling pursuits.

SA vs AUS Head-to-Head Record:

• Matches Played: 109
• South Africa won: 55
• Australia won: 50
• N/R: 1
• Tied: 3
• First Played: 26 Feb 1992
• Last Played: 12 Oct 2023

Probable Playing XIs:

• South Africa: Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee
• Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Probable Top Performers:

• Best Batter: Mitchell Marsh – A linchpin for Australia with an outstanding, unbeaten 177 against Bangladesh, nearing a remarkable 500-run milestone. His versatile skills extend beyond dynamic batting, adding a crucial dimension with adept bowling prowess.
• Best Bowler: Adam Zampa – Shining in World Cup 2023 with 22 scalps, claiming wickets at a staggering rate of one every three-and-a-half overs, boasting an enviable average of 18.90. His pivotal all-round contribution was instrumental in Australia’s triumph over England at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Today’s Match Prediction: Australia to emerge victorious in the semi-final showdown.