5 Indians who need big performances in the South Africa ODIs

While Team India prepares for the ODIs in South Africa, with 3 of its players nominated for the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award, some of the other players have had recent pasts to forget. While Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina will be tormented my the ghosts of Mitchell Johnson, Ishant Sharma will have to erase that 30 run over from his memory and have a fresh start in the Rainbow Nation. Here, we take a look at 5 Indians for whom a bad series might spell curtains to their spot in the ODI Team.

1. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh

When you think of destructive batsmen in world cricket, few names will appear higher on the list than Yuvraj’s. For someone blessed with abundant ability to time the ball and at the same time, hit it a mile, Yuvraj’s recent form has done no justice to his ability. In India’s last two home series, Yuvraj has scored 118 runs at an average of less than 20, which is by no means acceptable in a top ranked team. The biggest challenge for Yuvraj in South Africa will be to come to terms with the pace and bounce, something that Mitchell Johnson tormented him with, even on the slow wickets in India. For someone who enjoys the ball coming on to the bat, Yuvraj could thrive in South Africa given that the bounce is usually consistent and the ball travels a mile, especially in the Highveld, where two out of the three ODIs are being played.

2. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

One of MS Dhoni‘s favourite players, someone who has always been Dhoni’s trump-card both for Chennai Super Kings and India, Raina has endured a torrid recent few months. Like Yuvraj, he has also scored only 118 runs in the last two home series, at an average identical to Yuvraj. The biggest challenge for Raina in South Africa, is something that has clouded him throughout his career, his ability to play the short ball. Sure enough, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will try and get the ball up at Raina’s throat in an attempt to ensure that he feels as uncomfortable as possible. Raina will have to try and weather the early storm and make sure he is ready for the grind.

3. Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma

For someone who has played International cricket for 6 years now, Ishant has made nowhere near the progress that was expected out of him. The one thing that has disappointed Dhoni the most in Ishant is the fact that he still hasn’t taken the lead as the senior member of the bowling attack. That night in Mohali springs to mind, where with some murderous hitting from James Faulkner and constant poor bowling from Ishant led to 30 runs being conceded in the 48th over of the chase, turning the game decisively in Australia’s favour. This series is crucial for Ishant because South African conditions could suit his style of bowling, where he could get bounce from the pitches, which will be his biggest asset.

4. Mohammad Shami

Mohammad Shami

While Shami has had a fantastic start to his test career, his ODI career so far has been unremarkable. In the recent series against West Indies, Shami was carted all over the park, and couldn’t get his lines and lengths sorted. As a result, he was taken to the cleaners, specifically by Darren Sammy. Shami’s biggest asset in the test series was his accuracy. He was always targetting the stumps. He must ensure that he doesn’t get carried away by the assistance offered by the South African pitches, and stick to the basics. Shami has the ability to become a good death bowler, as he does possess a mean yorker, but he must work hard to ensure that he lands them on a more consistent basis. This is a crucial series for Shami, as there are talented seamers like Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma waiting in the wings to take his spot, should the opportunity arise.

5. Ravindra Jadeja the batsman

Ravindra Jadeja

While his place in the team is seemingly not under any threat, Ravindra Jadeja needs a big series with the bat. If not for anything else, it is essential that he bats well, just so that he can get back some of his lost confidence. His spin might not be as effective in South Africa as in the sub-continent, so Jadeja must weigh in with the bat. Also, if he bats well at no.7, he provides India much needed balance with a genuine all-rounder who can be relied upon, both with the bat, as well as to bowl 10 overs. In the recent past, after the Champions Trophy, Jadeja has tried to go too hard from the outset and has paid the price for it. He has had only one innings of substance since the final of the Champions Trophy, and that being a 48* in a dead rubber against Zimbabwe. While this series will not be a test for Jadeja’s place in the side, it is imperative for India that he performs with the bat as well.

So, 5 players who need big performances to supplement the likes of Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit. If two or three of the above mentioned players can play up to their full potential, there could well be smiles in the Indian camp, come the end of the ODI series.