5 factors India needs to beat South Africa in 2018

Tweak the lineup

Key decisions from Virat Kohli can shape the series

Under Kohli India's identity has been to win. With that India have adopted to play 5 bowlers and rely on their lower order to contribute wherever possible. This has had mixed results, but for the most part has worked well for India.

Ashwin, Jadeja, Saha, Hardik, Kuldeep and even Bhuvi have all shown they can contribute with the bat where required to help India put on a larger total. However this has been in home conditions. Whether they can replicate this overseas is unknown for most of the lower order.

India will need to play the right combination for the conditions in order to beat South Africa. The decision whether to play Rohit Sharma or not, choosing between Ashwin and Jadeja, or making room for Hardik Pandya (or potentially Bumrah) will all be key in the upcoming series.