T20 World Cup: Momentum favours India as stern 'knockout' test against familiar foes South Africa arrives

With the memories of Harmanpreet Kaur's catch at short cover to dismiss Nadine de Klerk off Deepti Sharma's bowling still fresh in the minds for both sides, Manchester will play host to a virtual knockout on Sunday between India and South Africa at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

It is, without doubt, the most important match of the group stage for both teams, because Australia have all but assured themselves of a place in the semifinals with three significant wins already. A win for India would mean Laura Wolvaardt's Proteas – who have been finalists of the last two editions – will have to pack their bags early. A win for South Africa will put immense pressure on Harmanpreet Kaur's side to beat Australia at Lord's on June 28, not a position anyone would want to be in.

Both the matches between India and South Africa at the ODI World Cup last year were nail-biters. In Visakhapatnam, De Klerk pulled off a stunning heist in a remarkable death-overs six-hitting masterclass. But in Navi Mumbai, on the day of the big final, India kept finding solutions to difficult situations to eventually cross the finish line. They'd have to do that again at Old Trafford against a South African side who have most bases covered on paper.

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India vs South Africa: The big picture

In the bigger picture, South Africa and India are similar: both are capable of the extraordinary on their days, but can also drive their fans nuts with hair-pulling inconsistencies.

Annerie Dercksen, South Africa's star all-rounder in the making, summed it up after her player-of-the-match effort against Pakistan the other night: "I said to the team, I'm probably going to die 30 years before I should, because we have a knack of (making things hard for ourselves)." Followers of the Indian women's cricket team can nod along in silent agreement.

Momentum, it is fair to say, is on India's side. Their start to the tournament has been perfect in terms of results, although the performances have been less than ideal. Pakistan were able to make early inroads into India's batting lineup, and it required a special innings from Smriti Mandhana at the top and Richa Ghosh at the death to post a decent total on the board. With the ball too, India were off to a sloppy start in the powerplay before Deepti Sharma stepped in and turned the game in India's favour. Even the 209 that India posted against the Netherlands was often a scratchy batting display, but for some magic from Mandhana once more.

Harmanpreet's side have also been dealt a significant injury blow as Shreyanka Patil's tournament was ended by an innocuous slip on the field that twisted her ankle. Patil was a key part of India's bowling equation as someone capable of bowling across the three phases, and India would have to quickly solve that piece of the selection puzzle.

South Africa, on the other hand, are yet to get going in this tournament. Australia blew them away in the opener, thanks to a constantly aggressive approach with the bat despite losing wickets regularly. The run-chase never got going, with only Wolvaardt making a decent contribution, but that too not quick enough to make a difference. Against Pakistan, Dercksen's half-century at No 3 provided relief for South Africa at a batting position where they have struggled. But the batting unit otherwise kept offering Pakistan ways back into the match.

India vs South Africa: Key matchups

The head-to-head makes for fascinating reading between the two sides as well. In 24 previous matches, India have won 11 and lost 10 (three no-results), but South Africa have closed that gap down recently, with a 4-1 series win at home in April.

Wolvaardt batted like a dream in that series, as she piled up 330 runs at a stunning strike rate of 168.36. India's bowlers struggled to pick up wickets right through the series, and that's where the pacers – whoever gets the nod on Sunday – have to step up and provide early breakthroughs.

During the series defeat in South Africa, India looked worryingly bereft of ideas on the field. In Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, and Ayabonga Khaka, South Africa have a fearsome seam bowling unit, but it is Nonkululeko Mlaba's left-arm spin that India's shaky middle-order have to be watchful against.

When the two teams walk out at Old Trafford on Sunday, as they take a glance at each other, there will be plenty of familiarity. Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues know Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt all too well as teammates in the WPL. Smriti Mandhana would know Nadine de Klerk is single-handedly capable of stealing the show. And Harmanpreet Kaur has often leaned on Shabnim Ismail's sheer fire. There will be very few unknowns, but one thing is certain: neither team can afford to drop the ball, both literally and figuratively.