India vs South Africa ODIs: An analysis of the Men in Blue on their African safari

India vs South Africa

MS Dhoni (captain and wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra

That is India’s ODI team for the upcoming South Africa series. The tour gets underway with the first of three ODIs starting December 5, followed by the two Tests.

Obvious and expected – that’s the normal reaction when one glances through the team. You don’t make many changes to a team that’s winning and is sitting at the top of the charts in the ODI rankings and to be fair, the selectors have got it right. India has had a fabulous season till now, especially in the ODI format. They are the reigning World Champions and they solidified their claim at the top by winning the Champions Trophy in England.

The Indian ODI outfit is a strong unit and with 6712 points on the ICC charts, they are miles ahead of the second best Australia, who currently have 4808 points to their credit. This MS Dhoni led side is settled side and contains players who have been improving their performances with every passing tournament.

The unique thing that makes this side a strong one is their average age. The nucleus of the side is young yet very experienced especially, in coloured clothing. Except MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Amit Mishra, the entire team is below the age of 30. In fact, barring R. Ashwin and Shikhar Dhawan, the rest of the cast is even below 27. Yet they have played a serious number of games and are considered veterans in this format.

Virat Kohli has featured in 121 games at the age of 25, Rohit Sharma, 26, has been a part of 110 games while Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja has played 182 and 88 games respectively. Most of these players have already established themselves in the team and when you think that their best years are still a couple of years ahead of them, it makes really good reading for Indian cricket.

Top Order

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma

Positions 1, 2 and 3 are the engine of the side. They kick start the innings and lay the platform for the middle order to follow. Whether chasing a target or setting a score, a team needs a big start and requires one of the top 3 to anchor the innings and play out the most of the overs.

The Indian top 3 pick themselves. The openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been in terrific touch and look formidable irrespective of the surface they play on. Both of them are equipped with good technique and are proficient in handling the short ball – a very important aspect because in South Africa they will be up against the classy Dale Steyn and the awkward Morne Morkel.

Rohit Sharma finally looks at ease in international cricket. He’s confident, compact and has curbed his instincts of throwing away his wicket. Playing the new ball comes naturally to him and is not perturbed by the extra pace. In fact, playing up the order has given him the time to build an innings. He takes his time early on and once he gets into gear, he is more than a handful against any bowling attack.

Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand, has been a phenomena. After scratching around for almost a decade in domestic cricket, he is now ready to handle the big boys. His fire brand batting has added a new dimension at the top of the order and to a few, he is the perfect replacement for Virender Sehwag. Although he was brilliant for India in the Champions Trophy, his mettle would be tested in South Africa. He has not had the best of series against West Indies and he would be hungry to score some runs when India lands in the rainbow nation.

Virat Kohli is the best ODI batsman in the world and his purple patch gets darker with every innings. From being a reckless youngster, he has matured into a world class batsman who knows his game better than most. His rise has coincided with the fading away of Sachin Tendulkar and if his current form is any indication, Tendulkar’s ODI records might just fall prey to the Indian vice captain.

Middle Order

Yuvraj Singh

A problem area for India especially, numbers 4 and 5. The two left-handers, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, has been completely out of touch. Yuvraj Singh made a rousing comeback with a solid 77 against Australians in the sole T20 but since then, his bat has been uncharacteristically silent. Mitchell Johnson troubled him enormously with a barrage of short deliveries and now he is struggling against the spin of Sunil Narine. Yuvraj Singh needs to get his act together and get back into his groove to turn India into a much stronger as a unit.

However, the captain MS Dhoni has full faith in him and has openly backed Yuvraj - “We want Yuvi to do well. He is someone who can bat well at No.4, someone who can really dominate the opposition. However, in the last few games, he has struggled a bit. At times it happens when you’re under pressure. We all know the kind of a talent he is. Once he gets a few runs, you’ll see a different Yuvraj Singh.”

Suresh Raina is another man who is struggling with the bat. He is an asset on the field and can produce magic spells with the ball but his form with the bat has been appalling. He hasn’t been able to sort out his issues with the short ball and the South Africans are sure to welcome him with a few nasty ones around his rib cage.

With Rayudu and Rahane snapping at their heels, Raina and Yuvraj desperately need to get back among the runs as soon as possible.

MS Dhoni is set at number 6, although popular opinions suggest that he comes up the order and takes charge of the later half of the innings at number 5.

Ravindra Jadeja at 7 is a concern for India. He has been sensational for India with the ball but still has to up his game with the willow. He does play the occasional cameo but needs to be more consistent to give a more solid look to the lower order. However, given his deficiencies against the bouncing ball, India might try out Ashwin at 7 while pushing Jadeja a step below.

Bowling

Md. Shami

A bowling attack comprising of R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra looks really impressive on paper but on the ground, they have not produced the desired results.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami are certainties with the new ball but it will be interesting to see who among Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Mohit Sharma gets the nod for filling up the spot for the 3rd pacer. Yadav, if fit, should make the cut. He is a better pick ahead of the Sharmas because of his raw pace. However, at times, Yadav gets it horribly wrong and can be very expensive.

Ashwin will be the lone spinner in the side along with Jadeja darting in his left-arm variety. Bowling is India’s main weakness but MS Dhoni would find solace in the fact that in South Africa the wickets would help his bowlers and they won’t hung out to dry on flat belters.

Reserves

Ambati Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane yet again will find themselves carrying the drinks unless Yuvraj Singh or Suresh Raina fail to recapture their form.

All in all, MS Dhoni has a solid team at his disposal to fight the Proteas. MS Dhoni has won a CB Series in Australia and the Champions Trophy in England and now he would like to add another feather to his cap and tame the Proteas in next month’s African safari.