ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 things India should be wary of against South Africa

#1 Batting in the middle overs

38-year-old Tahir should pose the biggest threat to India in the middle overs

Playing well in the middle overs of an ODI innings is one of the most underrated things in World cricket today. Most teams are content with a good powerplay and effective slogging towards the death. But the middle-overs is where a game is won or lost most often.

India should look to be positive against Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel and Chris Morris, three bowlers South Africa are likely to use more in the middle stage.

If India can string together some big partnerships in the middle overs and not get tangled in the variations of the wily Tahir, they have won half the battle. Scoring boundaries might be a tad more difficult in the middle overs with the field spread.

Running between the wickets, and not losing too many wickets will be the key in overs 20-40. Against a team like South Africa this may not be an easy task but that's just what India will have to focus on to emerge victorious.