What we can expect from the 5th ODI?
India is 3-1 up in the series, but the hosts have made some sort of comeback in the last match at the Bull Ring, and if they win the next two, they still have a chance to level the series. Johannesburg has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts, especially in the shorter format of the games. The bounce of the high veld and lack of air pressure up in the hills helps the ball fly into the stands quite easily. The rain breaks helped them for sure, chasing 200 odd runs in 28 overs, with a wet ball is a bread and butter stuff in the high veld.
The return of AB de Villiers boosted their confidence to a large extent, as a man of his calibre always will. The hosts countered the spinners quite well in the last game, they used the conventional and unconventional sweeps to good effect.
On the other hand, Virat and his boys will be up for it this time around, and they'll feel more at home in Port Elizabeth. Indian spinners didn't do much wrong apart from those two chances against Miller (one of a no ball), the wet ball was difficult to grip, and once the ball stopped turning in the high veld, the spinners are more likely to go the distance.
Things are expected to be much different at the St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth, the track is expected to turn and the ball will hold on as the innings progresses. Spinners will surely have a role to play and chasing will be difficult on this ground. Toss will be crucial, especially for South Africa, as countering the spinners during the second innings won't be easy.
This is what we can expect in the 5th ODI:
#5 The pitch
The track in Port Elizabeth will be a lot different from that of the Johannesburg. There won't be much carried off the track, and the ball is expected to hold on the track.
It won't be easy to hit through the line of the delivery. Spinners should come into play as the game progresses, and shot making won't be an easy task in the second innings. The ball won't fly into the stands like it happened the other night for sure.