What we can expect from the 5th ODI?

India is 3-1 up in the series, but the hosts have made some sort of comeback in the last match at the Bull Ring, and if they win the next two, they still have a chance to level the series. Johannesburg has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts, especially in the shorter format of the games. The bounce of the high veld and lack of air pressure up in the hills helps the ball fly into the stands quite easily. The rain breaks helped them for sure, chasing 200 odd runs in 28 overs, with a wet ball is a bread and butter stuff in the high veld.

The return of AB de Villiers boosted their confidence to a large extent, as a man of his calibre always will. The hosts countered the spinners quite well in the last game, they used the conventional and unconventional sweeps to good effect.

On the other hand, Virat and his boys will be up for it this time around, and they'll feel more at home in Port Elizabeth. Indian spinners didn't do much wrong apart from those two chances against Miller (one of a no ball), the wet ball was difficult to grip, and once the ball stopped turning in the high veld, the spinners are more likely to go the distance.

Things are expected to be much different at the St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth, the track is expected to turn and the ball will hold on as the innings progresses. Spinners will surely have a role to play and chasing will be difficult on this ground. Toss will be crucial, especially for South Africa, as countering the spinners during the second innings won't be easy.

This is what we can expect in the 5th ODI:

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#5 The pitch

The track in Port Elizabeth will be a lot different from that of the Johannesburg. There won't be much carried off the track, and the ball is expected to hold on the track.

It won't be easy to hit through the line of the delivery. Spinners should come into play as the game progresses, and shot making won't be an easy task in the second innings. The ball won't fly into the stands like it happened the other night for sure.

#4 Toss

The toss is going to be very crucial in Port Elizabeth, and with the track turning, the team winning the toss should bat first. Though a bit of rain is predicted before the game, both the sides should look to bat first, especially South Africa as countering the moisture early on will be much easier than facing a turning ball in the second innings.

#3 Weather report

Unlike other parts of the world, the weather predictions in South Africa have been accurate to a large extent. Rains are predicted during the morning, but the weather is expected to clear at least an hour before play is scheduled to start. So, there is every chance of a full 50-over game.

#2 What we can expect from India

India will be looking forward to winning the series in Port Elizabeth, and they have every chance of doing so with the conditions in their favour. As the track is expected to turn, Virat and his boys will we up for it and they'll look forward to creating history.

India's record in Port Elizabeth has not been the best, they even lost to Kenya at this very ground and also lost the last game they played over here against the hosts. They lost both the games chasing, but in this series, things have changed, and they have dominated the first three games and are 3-1 up in the series, with just one win away from creating history.

With two spinners in the playing eleven, Virat should definitely look to bat first if he wins the toss. With the track expected to turn and as Hardik is not having the best of series with the bat, the selection of Axar Patel won't be a bad idea.

Their middle order has been out of form in this series so far, the likes of Dhoni, Iyer and Hardik (if he plays) should try and get some runs. It won't be a bad idea if Dhoni comes in ahead of Iyer at no 5, as it will give him that extra few overs to get in before he starts playing his shots.

#1 What we can expect from South Africa

The hosts would have gained a bit of confidence after the last game, and their self-belief must be back. The conditions are not going to be the same this time around for sure, and with the ball expected to turn, they'll have their work cut-out.

They should win the toss and bat first, they'll be better off facing the early swing than the turn towards the later part of the innings. With rain expected before the game, the track should have a bit of moisture as it'll be under covers since morning. The experience of Amla will come in handy to negotiate the new ball.

As the track is expected to turn, it's unlikely that they'll go in with five pace bowlers, and they should consider the selection of Imran Tahir ahead of Lungisani Ngidi. AB de Villiers in the middle overs will be the key for the hosts, as he can get the spinners off line in a turning track and put pressure on the opponent.