As the India vs. South Africa ODI series begins on Sunday in Kanpur, the Indians would be smarting after their loss in the T20s. The Indian team was not just beaten, but completely outplayed. It’s one thing to lose abroad, but to be humiliated this way at home is unthinkable for Indian supporters, who take their cricket very seriously.
Both India and South Africa’s recent performance in ODI is not much to speak of, having lost to the minnows of world cricket, Bangladesh. (It’s a matter of debate, of course, if Bangladesh can still be referred to this way!) They would both want to turn things around, especially India, given what transpired in the T20s.
Indian players such as Virat Kohli have a point to prove. Kohli is a prolific run getter in ODIs, but his recent form is nothing to write home about. He has gone 10 innings without making a 50 and his last 3 scores were 1, 23 and 25. For South Africa, Hashim Amla has been struggling for form as well, not having made a 50 in more than 7 innings – which is a real low by his exalted standards.
India’s bowling attack does not inspire confidence. None of the Indian medium bowlers would merit a place in any of the top international outfits. They are distinctly average and mediocre. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the much maligned Indian medium pacer has got his pace up recently, but lost his swing in the bargain. Umesh Yadav, India’s only real fast bowler, has dropped pace in quest for seam movement.
South Africa clearly have a much better bowling attack with the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. They would be heartened by the performance of their new young fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who bowled with great fire and attitude in the T20s and was by far the best bowler on view.
While 50 overs cricket continues to be popular in India, it’s not the biggest priority right now for the two teams. The four match Test series is a lot more important. So this represents a great opportunity for the Indians to play without fear, knowing that they have not much to lose but a lot to gain. The reputation lost in the T20 series can be very quickly reestablished with a couple of early wins in the 5-match ODI series.
It can only be hoped that Ajinkya Rahane, who by all accounts is India’s best batsman, actually gets to play. By keeping him out of the side, the management leaves itself open to criticism. Umesh Yadav will lead the bowling, which is good news, as he is the only fast bowler in the team.
For South Africa, Quinton de Kock is expected to take over the gloves from AB de Villiers and also open the batting, along with Hashim Amla. de Kock has been in excellent form lately and will hope for that to continue.
The Teams
India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 5 Ambati Rayudu, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Axar Patel, 8 R Ashwin , 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Mohit Sharma, 11 Umesh Yadav
South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 and 7 David Miller/Farhaan Behardien/Chris Morris, 8 Dale Steyn, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran Tahir
Match Conditions
A hot day is in prospect in Kanpur with temperatures close to 40 degrees. It’s a day game so remember to switch on your TV sets early – at 9:00 am. The Kanpur pitch is a typical Indian track. Slow, flat and good for batting.
Watch India play South Africa in the first ODI at Kanpur on Sunday at 9:00 am live on Star Sports!
