South Africa vs India 2013: Four predictions for the ODI series

As the Indian team gears up for the first ODI against South Africa, MS Dhoni will realize that this short series might be one of the toughest challenges of his captaincy yet. It’s the battle between the no.1 test team and the no. 1 ODI team and South African conditions aren’t exactly the party the Indian batsmen would wish for.

But here we are, with our hopes and predictions for the upcoming heavyweight battle between the two giants.

Best batsman

With over 17 centuries and the leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2013, Virat Kohli has shown his worth to the world. His strokeplay, technique and match-winning performances have got everybody talking about him being the “next big thing” in world cricket.

Kohli has already proven his mettle in the pace and bouncy pitches of Australia and the team will depend heavily on him to perform here also. The West Indies series saw Kohli narrowly missed out on adding two more centuries to his name and so he will be looking to make amends for those two missed opportunities

Kohli has evolved into being a master of the ODI game, especially the run-chase and will surely the Delhi lad will have a big impact on the outcome of the 3 match ODI series.

Best bowler

South Africa with a history of great fast bowlers might have found their ultimate speedster in Dale Steyn. Pace is one thing; pace with distinct accuracy is another; pace with accuracy and swing yet another, but pace with accuracy, swing, aggression and the real fighter attitude, well that’s Steyn for you!

His career figures, and his performance since 2010 are a testimony of how dangerous he is with the ball:

Career: 65 Tests, 122 innings, 322 wickets, average 22.65 strike rate 41.1.

2010: 11 Tests, 20 innings, 60 wickets, average 21.41, strike rate 39.2.

2011: 5 Tests, 10 innings, 28 wickets, average 19.57, strike rate 38.2.

2012/13: 15 Tests, 29 innings, 72 wickets, average 21.76, strike rate 46.2.

Steyn has an exceptional career average in the mid 22s and a four-year period of being consistently under 22. When you factor in his strike rate that hovers around 40 and below and consider a strike rate of 55, it’s not much doubt that he is among the greatest pacers in the world right now.

He may not be tall, but his skiddy action and incredible control is enough to suffocate the batsmen. With the added benefit of home conditions, Steyn might just prove to be the ultimate road-block for the Indian team.

Most Valuable Player

Both the teams boast of great talents with as many as 5 players in the ICC ODI Team of the year. South Africa dominates the bowling and India dominates the batting and so to decide the outcome of the series, a big role will be of the all rounders in the two teams. Hence, with great performances in the recent two years, I reckon Sir Ravindra Jadeja to be the most important cog in the wheel of the Indian team cart.

Ranked as the third best bowler by ICC for 2013, Ravindra Jadeja has been dhoni’s go-to man for all difficult situations. Though since the Champions trophy he hasn’t performed much with the bat, but still we all know the damage he can do with the willow.

A gutsy bowler, a talented batsmen and a brilliant fielder, Jadeja is our bet for the most valuable player in the ODI series between India and South Africa.

Outcome

India wins 2-1.

The series is a battle between two of the most aggressive teams in the world. So, without a doubt, it’s going to be a fierce battle between two warrior teams with a tremendous display of batting fireworks, fielding marvels and lethal bowling.

In fielding and bowling, the team of the rainbow nation has a clear advantage but in batting, the Men in Blue are the lords of the pitch. With the highest run getters as their opening three batsmen, I give the advantage to the Indian team.

The matches are going to be highly competitive with most times the results going down to the wire, but in the end I believe the men in blue lead by the best captain in the world with overcome the Proteas and clinch the series 2-1.