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 (R) plays a shot during a practice session on February 20, 2015, ahead of their Sunday 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, followed by a match-winning 107 in the 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.
Kohli said it was an advantage having played alongside Steyn and prolific batsman 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. But when we get on the field, he will look to dominate me and I will try to dominate him," said Kohli.
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 game that will almost certainly lift the winner into the quarter-finals.
At Dunedin's University Oval, Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in the 50th over after being sent in to bat against Sri Lanka in Pool A.
Asghar Stanikzai top scored with 54 and Samiullah Shenwari made 38, with the pair featuring in an 88-run stand for the third wicket.
For Sri Lanka, skipper Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga both took three for 41.
Sri Lanka went into the match after an eight-day break following their 98-run defeat by New Zealand while Afghanistan had only a four-day turnaround and a flight from Australia since suffering a 105-run loss to Bangladesh in Canberra.
- 'Unacceptable' -
Meanwhile, West Indies cricket chief Dave Cameron was blasted for apparently retweeting a demand for outspoken opener Chris Gayle to be given "a retirement package".
In the latest controversy to hit the World Cup team, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Cameron's behaviour was condemned as "unacceptable" by players' representatives.
The drama unfolded during the Windies' 150-run win over Pakistan at Christchurch on Saturday when Gayle was out for four, stretching his run without a century in ODI cricket to 20 matches.
One fan tweeted: "Gayle goes… Can't buy a run. Let's give him a retirement package … Can't fail repeatedly and still front up based on reputation".
Cameron then apparently retweeted the post even as the match was ongoing.
The West Indies Players Association (WIPA), often at loggerheads with the WICB in a long-standing battle over contracts and payments, immediately denounced Cameron.
"WIPA is extremely disturbed by the unacceptable re-tweeting by Mr. Dave Cameron, President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), of a negative "fan" tweet which was directed at our member Mr. Christopher Gayle," said a statement.
"That Mr Cameron's retweet came in the middle of the West Indies team's critical game against Pakistan renders it even more unacceptable."
Cameron, who is seeking re-election, apologised for his actions and removed the post from his account.
"No offense intended. Full apologies extended. Rally round the West Indies," he wrote on @davec51.
On the eve of the World Cup, Gayle had accused the WICB of victimisation after Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were axed from the squad for their roles in the abandoned tour of India last year.