5 factors that could decide the course of the India vs. South Africa ODI series 2013
An Overview
The tumultuous relationship between BCCI & CSA, or the Srini-Lorgat conflict and whatever that was happening against an Indian cricket fanatic’s interest to watch Dhoni’s devils finally win a ODI series in the rainbow nation have all been put to bed and we’re just hours away from seeing two good one-day lineups battle it out in the middle.
Both India and South Africa go into the 3-match ODI series at the back of contrasting results in their respective backyards. While India has remained unbeaten in 6 consecutive ODI competitions over the course of the past 10 months and continue to vindicate their no.1 status in ODI rankings, South Africa come into this series after a shocking defeat against a Misbah lead – mercurial Pakistani side at home.
So what are the five factors that could well decide the way this series pans out?
How Dhoni marshals his fast-bowling resources
During India’s overseas tours of the past, Dhoni has always faced the predicament of not managing to get his fast-bowling combination right and he will face a similar challenge this time around as well. India’s 15-man squad for the ODI series in SA comprises of 5 fast-medium bowlers in Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Mohamed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma.
Albeit Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohamed Shami should be automatic selections in the XI that will take the field tomorrow, the 3rd fast-bowler’s slot could be a toss-up between Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma. Irrespective of who gets the nod, can Dhoni bank on his 3 premier quickies to deliver him 25-30 overs in South African conditions?
Barring the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy in England, in which Ishant Sharma, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav did a decent job, Indian quickies in the recent past have never given Dhoni the confidence to bowl their entire quota of 10-overs. If India has to entertain thoughts of winning an ODI series in South Africa for the first time, the likes of Shami, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and whoever gets the 3rd seamer’s spot has to do well and account for a minimum of 25 of the 50 overs.
If MS Dhoni can get a minimum of 25 overs from his fast bowlers and not be over-reliant on his spinners, I fancy India to do the job and win the series in South Africa this time around.
Performances of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja
It’s high time that these three southpaws, who form an integral part of the Indian middle order start making runs and contributing to the side with the bat. It was because of the failures of these three batsmen that India failed to post a competitive total on the board in the 2nd ODI against West Indies at Vishakapatnam, which consequently resulted in defeat.
Favorably, Yuvraj Singh will have the ball coming on to the bat a lot more than what happens in India, and South Africa aren’t a spin-heavy side that will worry a batsman like him. Yuvraj, no doubt will be looking to make amends for the run drought he suffered in two consecutive home series’ against Australia and West Indies.
Suresh Raina will again be tested with short-pitch bowling and it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to it, whether he plays the waiting game of ducking under a short delivery or does he fight fire with fire and goes after it.
If India has to win the ODI series in South Africa for the first time in the history, they would desperately need Raina and Yuvraj to start firing with the bat.
Worrying form of South African top order
The two back to back ODI series’ against Pakistan was a clear indicator of the kind of form South African batsmen find themselves in. They had a new opening combination in ODIs against Pakistan in the form of Colin Ingram and Graeme Smith, who failed to get the team off to a good start.
Duminy at no.3 failed to impress as well and if not for AB De Villiers’ heroics with the bat in a couple of games against Pakistan in the Middle East, South African batting has failed collectively over the past couple of months.
While the return of Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla for this series will no doubt bolster a depleted batting line-up, India will hope that they can keep the South African batting order to manageable scores and not let them get back into form as has been the case with Indian teams of yesteryears. If India do manage to torment a misfiring South African batting order, they will stand a good chance of troubling the home side and maybe running away with the series as well.
India’s mental strength to combat any skepticism of winning a ODI series in SA
The mental side of things in such a highly competitive series can’t be forgotten as well. Do Mahi & Co. have it in them to rise above a forgetful past of not managing to win a single ODI series in South Africa for 21 long years? Certainly Dhoni’s experience of having played in SA previously will come in handy and not to forget Kohli, who was part of the side which toured South Africa and played the ODI series in 2010.
The first match of a 3-match ODI series is always crucial and more nor often, the team that wins the first game will have a big chance of winning the series, which also means that India have to get rid of their ‘slow-starters’ tag when they take the field at the Wanderers tomorrow evening.
India certainly has the substance to take the game to South Africa, but how confident are they to go one better this time and clinch the ODI series? Time will tell.
High-scoring Indian batting lineup vs An always potent South African bowling attack
When your top 3 batsmen have all scored more than 1000 runs in a calendar year, there’s no reason why you won’t be cock-a-hoop of putting up humongous scores on the board while batting first or even chasing down a mammoth total. Dhoni should be confident of what his batsmen can achieve, irrespective of what Dale Steyn & Co. will throw at them.
The series could well be decided on the basis of how the Indian batting fares against an all-round South African bowling lineup lead by Steyn.
Pulling the curtains
India vs South Africa 2013 promises to be a mouthwatering prospect for any cricket follower from all around the globe and in the end, the above-mentioned factors could well turn out to be decisive in which of these two cricketing heavyweights wins the series.