Durban: Galvanised by the consolatory win in the final Test, a resurgent India will be aiming for their first bilateral ODI series triumph on the South African soil when they take on the Proteas in a six-match rubber, starting here Thursday.
With only 14 months to go for the 2019 ODI World Cup, India will also look to kick off their preparations in earnest during the series. India have a long limited overs schedule until their next big Test assignment this year.
There’s a strong contest can be expected as this remains a battle between World No.1 and No.2, except now the roles are switched. South Africa (120 points) are the top-ranked ODI side in the world, while India top the Test chart ahead of the Proteas, though India (119 points) are second with only a point separating the two sides in the 50-over format.
Going into the ODIs, the Men in Blue will be bolstered by the arrival of the limited-overs experts, especially former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who seems to be able to infuse new confidence into the side with just his presence.
India have previously lost 5-2 in 1992-93, 4-0 in 2006-07, 3-2 in 2010-11 and 2-0 in 2013-14. They were also part of two triangular series in 1996-97 and 2001-02, featuring Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively, but the Proteas emerged victors on both occasions.
Meanwhile, the hosts are concerned over the absence of ace batsman AB de Villiers, who has been ruled out of the first three ODIs due to right index finger injury.
Adding more worries to it, is the poor form of opener and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. With 71 runs in the Test series off the back of a lean domestic 20-over campaign, De Kock looks out of touch.
India also have a proud ODI record to protect. Since losing 4-1 in Australia (January 2016), the visitors haven’t lost a single bilateral ODI series, home or away. In this interim, they have beaten Zimbabwe, New Zealand (twice), England, West Indies, Sri Lanka (twice) and Australia, winning 24 out of 32 bilateral matches.
As such, the team management will be relying on optimal selection to get this six-match series off to a good start.
The pitch bore a brownish look Wednesday ahead of the game, in keeping with the rainfall Durban has received of late. Showers are forecast for Thursday’s game as well. It might have a bearing on how many spinners India go in with.
Kohli backs Rahane to succeed at No.4
Durban: Indian skipper Virat Kohli asserted here once more Wednesday, that they would continue to experiment keeping in mind the 2019 World Cup in England. However, he also stated that Ajinkya Rahane has emerged the top contender for the No.4 slot in limited overs matches.
“We have explored many options in the last few months. We don’t have too many series and too much time left before the World Cup, so we want to explore all the options before the World Cup,” Kohli told reporters.
“I had said earlier that Jinks (Rahane’s nickname) would be looked at as a third opener but that situation can change because he has batted at No. 4 in a World Cup (in 2015) before. These conditions are such that you get to play fast bowling throughout the innings so he becomes a strong candidate for the No. 4 spot.
Talking about the upcoming six-game ODI series against South Africa, the Indian skipper said that this would be a tough assignment for India’s leg-spinners who are playing in foreign conditions for the first time.
“We are one of the few teams, or probably the only team in world cricket, to be blessed with two wrist spinners, while Kedar is doing the conventional job pretty well for the team. Wrist spinners help you in any conditions in the world, they can go for six an over but they will pick you three wickets as well, which will eventually make the difference in the game,” pointed out Kohli.
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis acknowledged that it will be tough to beat India in the series and said the visitors’ poor record here in the 50-over format will not be much of a factor.
“I think it (the poor record) tells a story. It means that there is something difficult for touring teams to come here and get accustomed to. But as I mentioned before the Test series, this Indian cricket team have got the names on paper to challenge that and get some victories in South Africa,” Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis said that the mix of Indian pacers and spinners can pose a serious challenge to the South Africans. “The pacers have already shown their quality. The spinners, they are very good. I’ve played against them (Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav) obviously in the T20s and in the IPL. They have been very successful for India and they are always looking for wickets. And if you get wickets, you put pressure on the batting side,” Du Plessis pointed out.
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