SYDNEY - Master batsman Virat Kohli and fast-bowling ace Dale Steyn put their friendship to one side Sunday when defending champions India tackle South Africa in a World Cup blockbuster in front of 80,000 people in Melbourne.
India's batsman Virat Kohli speaks during a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 21, 2015, ahead of their 2015 Cricket World Cup match against South Africa
India and South Africa, two of the favourites for the title, go into the Pool B clash at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground with opening wins under their belts -- India beating arch-rivals Pakistan by 76 runs while the Proteas clinched a 62-run victory over neighbours Zimbabwe.
Kohli has prospered at the MCG, making 169 and 54 during the drawn Test against Australia in December.
He followed that with a match-winning 107 in India's World Cup opener against Pakistan in Adelaide.
However, Kohli and the other India batsmen now face a formidable South Africa attack that includes Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, backed by Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell.
Kohli said it was an advantage having played alongside the fearsome Steyn and prolific AB de Villiers for the same Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier League.
"Dale is a good friend, I get the biggest hug from him when we meet," he explained.
"But when we get on the field, he will look to dominate me and I will try to dominate him," Kohli said.
- Slow pitch -
South Africa captain de Villiers believes the MCG pitch will not favour his fast bowlers, saying batsmen should thrive on it.
"I've played here in the past and I have never played at the MCG with a lot of pace and bounce," de Villiers said ahead of the day/night Pool B game that will almost certainly lift the winner into the quarter-finals.
"It's always been quite slow, which doesn't suit us that well. The last game we played here against Australia (in November) was one of the slowest wickets I've ever batted on."
South Africa were severely tested with both bat and ball by Zimbabwe in their opener in Hamilton last Sunday.
The Proteas were wobbling at 83 for four before being bailed out by a brilliant record stand of 256 for the fifth wicket between century-makers David Miller and JP Duminy.
In Dunedin, Sri Lanka get the chance to atone for their first-up loss to New Zealand when they play tournament novices Afghanistan in Pool A.
Sri Lanka have had an eight-day break to reflect on their 98-run defeat by the Black Caps, where key swing bowler Lasith Malinga had a nightmare return to action after a six-month injury lay off.
Unable to find a consistent line and length, Malinga was belted all around Hagley Oval in Christchurch and returned his second worst ODI figures of none for 84 off 10 overs.
A bigger concern was the batting collapse -- nine wickets fell for 109 -- and sloppy fielding, with opener Lahiru Thirimanne estimating Sri Lanka gifted New Zealand an extra 20-30 runs.
Only Thirimanne (65) and captain Angleo Mathews (46) showed confidence with the bat while the big three -- Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan -- lacked conviction and will relish the opportunity to play themselves in against a less hostile attack.
Afghanistan have had only a four-day turnaround and a flight from Australia since suffering a 105-run loss to Bangladesh in Canberra.
Their reply to Bangladesh's 267 started disastrously when they were three for three after three overs and ended in the 43rd over, although coach Andy Moles refused to accept it was a true reflection of his side's ability.
"Sri Lanka will be a step up, but I think my biggest message is you haven't seen Afghanistan play yet," Moles said.