The 59-year-old Srikkanth, who was a member of India's 1983 World Cup winning team, also singled out Jasprit Bumrah for special praise. "The other standout performer was Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. He really rattled the South Africans with his opening spell and that set the tone for the game," Srikkanth wrote. "Of course South Africa look a little demoralised after a tough start to the tournament, but his bowling was fantastic. "When you have Bumrah taking wickets early and forcing the opposition onto the defensive, that makes it easier for the spinners afterwards." Srikkanth feels India will face a problem of plenty in the pace department. "I probably would have picked Mohammad Shami, and I still expect him to play a part in this tournament, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar took his chance well," he wrote.

"It will be an interesting selection dilemma throughout and I expect them to adapt depending on the wicket and the opposition." India will next face five-time champions Australia on June 9 and Srikkanth believes the two-time winners will be put to test. "...India will probably have to improve at the Oval but overall it was a promising start. It is obviously still very early with most teams having only played one or two games but I think Australia and India are both contenders to make the semi-finals," he wrote. "For me, it will be those two and England, despite their loss to Pakistan and then probably one of West Indies or New Zealand. "That could change of course but if that is how it turns out, then the match between India and Australia takes on even greater importance and should be a great game on Sunday."

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