5 factors India needs to beat South Africa in 2018
The upcoming series between India and South Africa is the biggest overseas tour for India in the last few years. Whilst India has been nothing less than dominate over the last two years, most of India's victories have been at home or against below standard competition away.
India is ranked number one in the world, but the ranking is a little deceptive, as India have not toured teams such as Australia, England, New Zealand or South Africa recently - until now. Here are 5 critical success factors which may be the difference maker if India are to beat South Africa.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has to lead the bowling unit
Kumar has been through an emergence over the last few years. He is no longer the medium pace swing bowler who doesn't have anything to offer if the ball is not swinging. He is faster, more accurate and vastly more experienced. He has come into his own under the leadership of Virat Kohli and is trusted to make crucial breakthroughs when required.
It is hard to forget the incredible tour Kumar had in 2014 against England where he was India’s best bowler (and a crucial lower order batsman). This is Kumar’s best chance to lead an attack and if he is successful India will be in a great position take the series.