South Africa vs India 2013: 5 reasons why India would play better in the Test series

The ODI series against South Africa has been abominable to watch for every Indian cricket fanatic, who hasn’t experienced such a mauling in a long long time. In many ways, this was not expected from the currently no.1 ranked ODI side and as a result of such an appalling show, pundits and many Indian cricket followers themselves have written off Mahi & Co. staging a comeback in the upcoming Test series against the no.1 ranked Test side in South Africa.

But if you’re looking for some kind of an inspiration, and hope that India can put the dismal showing in the ODIs behind them and take it to South Africa in the Test series starting from Dec 18th, then look no further than this article, which focuses on areas that should stand India in good stead leading up to the Test series.

1. Zaheer Khan‘s return to the side

Zaheer Khan

The return of Zaheer Khan should act as a tonic for the likes of Mohamed Shami and Ishant Sharma. Zaheer himself has been a proven nemesis of Graeme Smith in the past and I wouldn’t rule out another entertaining contest between these two come the morning on Dec 18th.

Zaheer, being the leader of the pace attack could have a positive effect on Shami and Ishant Sharma, which could consequently bring the best out of the tender quickies for India in South African conditions.

Indian bowling attack, which largely boasts of swing bowlers, should relish the kind of surfaces that will be on offer at the Wanderers and Kingsmead in Durban as well.

If Zaheer Khan, Mohamed Shami and either of Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav do complete the Indian fast bowling attack, I am sure that they will be a hot cup of coffee to handle for the South African batsmen.