5 things India need to do to bounce back in Durban

India will need to bowl better

Out-batted. Out-bowled. Out-fielded. Out-thought. All in all, India were totally outplayed in the first ODI at Johannesburg. They’ve had 3 days to think, plan and strategize and they will look to put all of that into plan when the second ODI starts at Kingsmead today. Here is a look at 5 major things India need to do to have a chance in Durban.

1. Start strong with the new ball

India made woeful use of the new ball at Jo’burg and they will have to pull up their socks in that department. Mohammad Shami should be given the new ball for sure. He was India’s best fast bowler on show at Jo’burg and a lot rests on his shoulders to carry the attack. Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav must get a look in ahead of Mohit Sharma, who looked completely out of his depth in the first ODI when de Villers carted him all around the park.

2. Bowl better in the death overs

Something that has been India’s Achilles heel for a long, long time. Somehow, the Indian bowlers always seem to lose the plot at the death, and runs begin to haemorrhage at an alarming rate. In the last nine ODIs, India have conceded 70+ runs in the last 10 overs on eight occasions – Not a stat that MS Dhoni is pleased about. Dhoni made his displeasure felt, after the Jo’burg ODI, which was the worst display of death bowling, in terms of runs conceded, with India going for 135 runs in the last 10 overs, and 84 in the last five. Somehow, that yorker has never been delivered consistently by any of the Indian bowlers.

3. See off the new ball with minimum damage

Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel breathed fire at Jo’burg and it was all too much for the Indian batsmen to handle. Rohit Sharma was given an absolute nightmare by Steyn, and Shikhar Dhawan threw his wicket away after a promising start. The good thing about Rohit was that he was willing to fight and didn’t throw it away easily. But, apart from resolve, this series will always be a huge test of Rohit’s technique and patience. Dhawan is a swashbuckler, but that doesn’t mean he can’t take some time, early in his innings, to get his eye in. Once that is done, things will be much easier.

4. MS Dhoni to bat at 5

This is something that many an expert has been crying out for. Dhoni is arguably India’s best batsman in ODI cricket, and it is only fair to expect him to spend a lot more time in the middle, than just come out for the final flourish. There is a calm to proceedings, when Dhoni is in the middle, and with a middle order, that is otherwise woefully out of form, Dhoni will be the main man. The numbers tell us that Suresh Raina is far more comfortable at 6, when he has the cushion of runs on the board, and he likes to provide the final flurry. So maybe, Dhoni should consider the option of him batting up the order.

5. Yuvraj to fire

Yuvraj Singh‘s form is a huge worry for India. With Yuvraj being the most experienced man in the team, it is essential that he steps up to the plate and makes a contribution. The problem for Yuvraj is that he is getting intimidated by the pace bowling, and is not getting into the right position. Like it is for Dhawan and Rohit, Yuvraj also needs to spend some time in the middle, get accustomed to the conditions, and then, once set, can take the attack to the opposition.