 It was a one sided affair at Durban in the opening one day international. The Indians crumbled under lights and conceded a heavy defeat. But will it be a replay of the Test series? Where India were crushed in the opening Test match but they fought valiantly to draw series.
The series is important for both sides as they are treating it as the final
preparation for the World Cup in February. The next match also a day night game,
is scheduled to be played at Johannesburg on Saturday.
Click for Live Score Card of South Africa Vs India
For South Africa, it was a near perfect win. Their batting was solid, bowling
was excellent and fielding followed. South Africa looked like a nervous team
in the T20 but they had completely shaken it off when they entered the ODI series.
South Africa would be pleased with their performance but the job is not even
half done yet. The Johannesburg encounter could put South Africa in control
but it can also bring India level. South Africa are missing Jacques Kallis,
and the young guns in the middle order David Miller and Collin Ingram
didn't fire on Wednesday. This can be slightly worrying for South Africa.
As far as the bowling is concerned South Africa would look to be more
ruthless at Johannesburg as there is more swing with the bounce. This is a very
bog series and South Africa have been known to choke on such occasions. According
to Graeme Smith, South Africa are desperate to take off that label. Let's
see if they can.
South Africa have won four of their last five ODIs.
India tasted a heavy defeat and apart from Virat Kohli's slow but holding half
century there are few positives to take out. Without Gautam Gambhir and
Virender Sehwag, India are looking like a different batting lineup.
Not having regular in-form openers on bouncy tracks is never ideal but it can
get worse in the second match on January 15. Short pitch balls have continued
to torment India and South Africans may have found the loophole in their batting
that can be decisive in the series. Ashish Nehra's return with the ball was
unspectacular as he leaked runs at over 10 runs per over. India would like a
supporting third seamer to Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel, and they have
to sort out this problem fast because of this series will soon be entering in
the decisive face and World Cup is looming.
India are a hungry side as they want to claim the top spot in ODI ranking as
well, but for that they would have to go through a stern South African side.
India have won four of their last five ODIs.
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