Reasons behind India's success in the ODI series so far
India being 2-0 ahead in a six-match ODI series in an overseas nation is not a familiar story. For the last 25 years, it has been a struggle for India in South Africa, and they are yet to win an ODI series in the rainbow nation.
Things have changed under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. India dominated both the games and they are 2-0 ahead. It has been a comprehensive performance, and the hosts are yet to make a mark in the series.
The momentum is with India at the moment, and it will take some doing for the hosts to make a come back at Newlands. After losing Quinton de Kock for the remainder of the series, things can't get any worse for them.
Here's a look at why India has been able to dominate this ODI series so far.
#1 Pitch
The tracks have made a difference for sure. The track in Durban was a batting paradise, with hardly any carry. There was no lateral movement off the air or off the pitch. Batsmen could hit through the line, and once the likes of Rahane and Virat got settled, the hosts had to chase the leather for rest of the innings.
The track in Centurion was a rank turner, spinners took 8 wickets out of the 11 that fell in the entire match. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav turned out to be unplayable. Chahal ended up with a fifer whereas, the latter took three wickets. The hosts were shot out for mere 118 runs, and the faces in the South African dressing room said the story.
South African tracks are fast bouncy tracks with a lot of lateral movement, but this time around things changed. India seemed more at home with the tracks turning and pacers getting hit all around the park.