South Africa targetting early dismissal of Rohit Sharma; Du Plessis doubtful for 2nd ODI
South African bowling coach Charl Langeveldt has talked up the importance of dismissing Rohit Sharma early on his innings as key to his side’s chances of extending their winning run, IBNLive reports. The former fast bowler also revealed that Faf du Plessis is an injury doubt for the 2nd ODI which will take place at Indore on Wednesday.
Sharma has started the series against South Africa in stunning fashion, notching up centuries in both the T20 and ODI series opener, and Langeveldt conceded that the Proteas should aim at getting the Indian opener dismissed before he settles down.
"At the moment he (Rohit) is really batting well. He bats well in Indian conditions. He is a great player. The first 10 balls to him are important. You need to try and get him out in the first 10 balls. We will probably look to bowl the glory ball. He is one of those players who kicks on if he gets past 20," Langeveldt told reporters in the pre-match press conference at the Holkar Stadium here on Tuesday.
Though thrilled with the start the Proteas has made, Langeveldt was quick to add that their 72-day long tour of India is still in its early days.
"So far it has been great. We had three wins. In the last 10 overs (in Kanpur), we were looking down the barrel but we did very well to come over the line and win the game," the former Protea fast bowler said. "The tour is still very long. We had just three wins, but India is a strong team.”
Langeveldt praises Rabada; backs Miller and Steyn
Elaborating further on the 1st ODI at Kanpur where South Africa managed to hold their nerve and come out on top in a thrilling encounter, Langeveldt revealed that it was an area where his side has been working on.
"We have been really working hard. In the past, there were instances when we lost big moments. We are not trying to change a lot and probably we will go with the same seam attack. In India, you are going to go for runs. So if you can control the last 5 and first 10 overs, then you can win games," he added. "If we assess the conditions quick enough, we try to change things. We just don't bowl yorkers in the death overs. The guy that adapts quickly will get success quickly. In training as well our focus is on bowling everything."
Langeveldt reserved special praise for South African youngster Kagiso Rabada who was handed the task of bowling the final over at Kanpur. The 20-year-old fast bowler picked up the key wickets of MS Dhoni and Stuart Binny as India fell five runs short of the target set by South Africa.
"Rabada is special. He learned a lot from Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. He also learned a lot from Vernon Philander. He is a very good listener and he tries to implement his learning into the game," Langeveldt said.
He also offered the full support of the South African team management to fast bowler Dale Steyn and left-handed batsman David Miller, who are yet to set the stage on fire in India.
"David (Miller) at the moment is struggling for form, but he has got the backing of the team management. The boys are rallying around him. He just needs one good knock.”
"Steyn is still bowling well. He is a vital cog in our bowling attack. He has been excellent in the last couple of years. I don't think he is down. He has just given 5 runs an over upfront. As a bowling coach I will back him any day," Langeveldt said.
Du Plessis a doubt for the 2nd ODI
Langeveldt revealed that Du Plessis has had a recurrence of the knee injury he had suffered before the tour to India and added that a final decision on whether the T20 skipper will feature at Indore will be taken after the fitness test on Wednesday.
"He (Du Plessis) is having a fitness test today. We will make a decision on him tomorrow," he said.
Even if Du Plessis fails to make it, Langeveldt is absolutely certain that the spectators will witness a run feast at Indore and advised his bowling unit to be prepared to adjust their line and length to suit the ground conditions.
“In India, you will go for runs, so the main thing is always to compete. We need to compete in every ball. If you go for 6 in one ball then you should compete in the next ball. These are not easy conditions to bowl at. So if we are competing in every ball there is a good chance, we might win the game," said Langeveldt. “It's (Indore is) a high scoring ground. It's a small venue as well. So it's going to be difficult for the bowlers. You need to adapt to the conditions."