South Africa vs India 2018: 3 changes Virat Kohli could make for 6th ODI

When Team India boarded their flight for South Africa, they must have had plans to create history. This was substantiated when Bhuvneshwar Kumar ran through the South African top order in the first Test, but consecutive defeats soured the spirits of the Indian cricket fans.

Following a dramatic turn of events, the team bounced back in the 3rd Test at Wanderers, on a pitch that was rated ‘poor’ by the ICC. Since then, Kohli and Co. have shown that they are perfectly capable of maintaining their aggressive style of play in overseas conditions as well.

Being 4-1 up in the 6-match ODI series, Kohli hinted at the post-match presentation that he would not mind testing the bench strength in the final ODI. On that note, let us have a look at the possible changes that Kohli can make in the final ODI at Centurion.

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#1 Mohammed Shami in for Bhuvneshwar or Pandya

This match can also be used to test Shami’s credentials in the slog overs

Mohammed Shami was India’s leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded Test series against the Proteas. His five-for in the second innings of the last Test broke the back of the South African batting. If India consider him to be in the scheme of things for the 2019 World Cup, which they would be in all likelihood, it would serve Shami well if he gets some matches under his belt. His extra pace and skiddy nature can certainly hurry the opposition batsmen. This match can also be used to test his credentials in the slog overs.

The mercurial pacer can make the cut in place of either Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Hardik Pandya. Both Bhuvneshwar and Pandya are currently mainstays in all three formats of the game. They toiled hard in the Test series and the ODIs that followed and are expected to be automatic picks for the T20Is. After this tour, they would feature in the Nidahas Trophy – a 7-match T20I tri-series – and the IPL as well and hence need a break from the action.

#2 Axar Patel in for Yuzvendra Chahal

Axar's left-arm spin would add some variety to the Indian bowling

Yuzvendra Chahal incurred a couple of blows on his left hand at Port Elizabeth. After the leggie tried to catch a barreling on-drive from David Miller, he had to leave the field for a precautionary scan. Bearing in mind that Chahal would be a vital cog for India in the upcoming 3-match T20I series against the Proteas, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give him some time off to nurse his swollen arm.

Axar Patel’s services can come in handy for the team in Chahal’s absence. Patel would add a new dimension to the Indian bowling. While the two wrist spinners have hitherto done a great job for India, the left-arm spinner would certainly bring in some variety in the Indian bowling with his slippery wicket-to-wicket deliveries.

#3 Manish Pandey or Dinesh Karthik in for Shreyas Iyer

Manish Pandey is more suited to the No. 5 spot than Iyer

Either Manish Pandey or Dinesh Karthik can be given a game in place of Shreyas Iyer in the final ODI. Both of them have been warming the benches throughout the tour and would be raring to prove their mettle. Iyer has only managed 48 runs in the last two ODIs. Moreover, he has looked quite uneasy in the middle, even dropping a couple of costly catches.

As far as the batting order is concerned, Iyer is more comfortable at the No. 3 or No. 4 spot, but both of those have been occupied by stalwarts in Kohli and Rahane this series. The natural playing style of Pandey and Karthik make them more suited to the No. 5 spot. Also, keeping the 2019 World Cup and the upcoming England and Australia tours in mind, it would be a smart decision to keep giving them some match practice.