5 things Indian fans want to happen for the first time during India-SA series

The long series could produce many first time eventsWe are less than a week away from the marquee clash between two cricketing giants, India and South Africa. One of the most anticipated bilateral series on Indian soil in recent times, the Gandhi-Mandela series promises to be a cracker. The two cricket super-powers will go head to head in all the three formats of the game where they will play 3 T20Is, 5 ODIs and 4 Test matches.This is the South Africa’s longest tour to India ever since the visitors made their comeback to international cricket in 1991 against the same opposition. There are is a lot of hype around this tour with South Africa boasting a strong side with the likes of AB Devilliers, Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn in their ranks.India in their own backyard are an extremely difficult side to beat – something which former South African captain Graeme Smith and Jonty Rhodes have already stated. Apart from the series results and head to head clashes between individuals stars on both sides, there are a few things that Indian fans would be hoping that happen for the first time during this series.Here is a small list of what could happen for the first time during this series.

#1 MS Dhoni\'s first ever T20I 50

Dhoni is yet to score a T20I half-century

Yes, surprising isn’t it? India’s charismatic skipper MS Dhoni still does not have an international T20 50 against his name. In the 50 matches that he’s played so far, his highest score is an unbeaten 48 not out against Australia at the SCG in 2012.

One possible reason could be that he bats at 6 or 7 for India and does not get to face many deliveries. He plays the role of a finisher for India and does that job remarkably well. With his inclination to bat at No. 4, (where he bats quite often in the IPL) this record looks to be set straight and fans can expect big scores from Dhoni.

This 3 match series at home should give him the ideal opportunity to get the monkey off his back once and for all.

#2 Virat Kohli\'s first ODI century against South Africa

None of Kohli’s 22 ODI centuries have come against South Africa

Even if Virat Kohli retires today, he would be considered as a legend in one-day cricket. His ODI records prove that he’s been one of the greatest best batsmen in the fifty-over format over the past 8 years. 22 ODI 100s, more than 6000 ODI runs at a strike rate of close to 90 and an average of 50 is just outstanding.

But there’s one thing that even he would want to add to that list. ’King Kohli’ still does not have an ODI 100 against South Africa. His highest score is 87 not out at Port Elizabeth in 2011, just before the World Cup.

With a first Test series win as captain behind him, Kohli is in a good frame of mind and one can expect him to notch up his 23rd ODI hundred in the ODI series and break the duck of ODI tons against the South Africans.

#3 Suresh Raina\'s first ODI century in India

Raina is yet to score an ODI century in India

The new ‘finisher’ of the Indian team, Suresh Raina is a game changer and has played many vital innings for India in the past. His crucial knocks in the quarter-final against Australia and the semi-final against Pakistan got India an opportunity to lift the World Cup at home in 2011. Often coming in late down the order, Raina has had to attack right from the word go and help the team get a decent score.

After 218 ODIs, Raina averages 36 with the bat, has a strike rate of over 90, scored 5500 ODI runs, including 5 ODI tons. One interesting record is that all his ODI tons have come outside India. Two have come in Karachi, Pakistan, one each in Bangladesh, England and the most recent one in the 2015 World Cup in a tricky run chase against Zimbabwe.

With Dhoni now set to bat at No.4, Raina will play the role of a finisher and might not get enough balls to face to notch up ODI 100s.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane\'s first Test century in India

All but one of Rahane’s 18 Test matches have come outside India

Ajinkya Rahane has been India’s Mr. Dependable over the last 12 months in all formats of the game. He might not be a regular now in the ODI side, but his Test performances overseas have been terrific with 100s in New Zealand, England, Australia and most recently, Sri Lanka.

Remarkably, Rahane has just played one Test match in India, that too his debut match against Australia at Delhi where he had a forgettable tally of 8 runs in two innings. This series will be his first full Test series in India and he must be looking forward to scoring a century or two in his own backyard. He’s come through much tougher tests abroad with outstanding performances and Indian fans can hope the Mumbaikar to carry forward his good form and help India win the Test series.

#5 Virat Kohli\'s first Test series win at home

Following an away series victory, Kohli will be hoping to repeat the feat, at home, this time around

Kohli has been really impressive in the 6 Test matches that he’s led India in. The 2-1 Test series win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka must have really lifted the dressing room atmosphere. This was India’s first overseas Test series win since beating West Indies in 2011.

His immediate task as captain comes against the mighty South Africans in a 4 match Test series. This would be his first matches as captain in India and it couldn’t have come against a tougher team than South Africa. The Proteas are the best travelling side in world cricket and have troubled India also in recent times at home. The last two series between these two sides in India has ended 1-1 with South Africa taking the lead on both occasions.

South Africa’s only Test series win was in 1999/00 when they won the 3-match series 2-0. But South Africa are facing a new India team, which under Kohli plays aggressive cricket and doesn’t care too much about the opposition’s reputation.

This is also the first time South Africa are coming to India without a genuine all-rounder. They do have JP Duminy, but he’s not in the same league as Jacques Kallis or Shaun Pollock. The heat will get to the South African pacers and they will have to rely on Imran Tahir to do the bulk of the bowling.

The Indian team now looks settled and if there’s ever an opportunity to dominate South Africa, this is the one. Indian fans are craving for a Test series victory against South Africa, something India have not managed since 2005. This could well be Kohli’s series and what better start as skipper than to beat the world’s best Test side.