South Africa vs India 2013-14: 5 Reasons why Team India could clinch the series in Durban

The recently concluded first Test between India and South Africa may have ended in a thrilling draw but the performance of the Indian team has taken everybody by surprise, even the Indians themselves. After a meek surrender in the ODI series and with hardly any match practice to face the rampaging South African pacers, the way the Indian side fought to draw from a once winning position is not only a positive sign but also suggests that series is everything but open and could go anybody’s way after the 2nd Test.

The way some of the players have stood up to the responsibility clearly suggests that the Indians have got it right and Durban could well end India’s long wait for a series win in South Africa.

Here are five reasons why Indians have their noses up in front before the series decider and why they could clinch the Durban tie to pocket the series.

1) Leaving balls outside the off stump 

The Indian batsmen left the ball outside the off stump brilliantly

The key to facing any good attack is patience. The bouncy and pacey South African pitches require even more of that quality. The T20 and ODI expert Indian batsmen have always shown to like going after the bowlers and counter attacking as their mantra. While this may work in lesser conditions, with the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander bowling to them, spending time in the middle is a must and that is what the Indians did beautifully. Hardly any balls outside the off stump were poked at, something which destroyed the opposition’s game plan. They were ready to leave and get in and that made sure that the Indians managed to put runs on the board.