India in South Africa: Tourists look to break status-quo in ODI and Test series
The Indian team is on a high with resounding wins in the recent past. While several greats have retired, the newcomers have shown enormous talent. Their skills though would be put to the ultimate test when they face hosts South Africa - a team that has never lost to India at home.
- Prakash Govindasreenivasan
- Updated: December 01, 2013 12:00 PM IST
After a lot of speculation and back-and-forth volleys from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA), the long-awaited India tour of South Africa will get underway with three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two Tests from December 5.
This series has the potential to be India's biggest litmus test ahead of their long season on the road. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side has come a long way after being blanked by England and Australia in 2011. The experienced trioka of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have called time on their careers and the next lot have started well in their respective bids to fill the void.
Now, therefore, is a good time for the selection panel under Sandeep Patil to observe and infer if their bold decisions to go with form over reputation will pay off.
As for the hosts, they will come into the series at the back of a defeat to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi but will look to shrug that off and replicate their good form at home. Their last Test series at home was against Pakistan where they whitewashed the visitors.
The two armies and the main warriors
While a lot has been said and written about Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order, this series will be crucial for pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well. The 23-year-old from Meerut has grown by leaps and bounds since making his debut late last year. With the return of the veteran Zaheer Khan, a lot of pressure will be off Bhuvneshwar's shoulders who has been the pick of the Indian bowlers in the recent past.
Another pacer - Umesh Yadav however, will be looking to carve a permanent place after suffering from recurring injuries. With good pace at his disposal, he could prove to be a handy option.
In the home camp, the spotlight will be on the usual suspects like Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers to shine with the bat while Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander will be expected to deliver with the ball.
For South Africa's Jacques Kallis, this series could be one of his last as he is in the twilight of his career. With over 13,140 runs and 288 wickets to his name in Test cricket and 11,554 runs and 272 wickets in ODIs, there is nothing left for the big man to prove. However, he would love the prospect of finishing his career by contributing to resounding wins against formidable opponents like India.
South Africa have been exceptional in Tests in the last 18 months and have annihilated the likes of Pakistan and Australia at home, bowling them out for 49 and 47 respectively. How they fare against the might and aggressive ways of Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order and the monk-like resilience of Pujara in the middle-order will be interesting to watch.
The youngsters
Ambati Rayudu's strong performances in the domestic circuit has earned him a well-deserved spot in both Test and ODI squads. Whether or not he gets a game, this will be a great learning experience for him.
Ajinkya Rahane is another talent who will hope to learn from the experience of touring South Afric. He has been picked and dropped in the past but will want to take the opportunity, if it comes by, and prove his mettle once again. The selectors have taken him as a back-up option for the opener's slot, putting pressure on the likes of Dhawan and Murali Vijay in Tests.
Achilles heel
India will land in South Africa with an exceptional win percentage in the last two years. The current lot however, has hardly ever been tested in unfavourable conditions. They may have proved themselves and successfully come out of the shadows of the former greats, but still have a long way to go to prove their worth on away tours. To start that off against South Africa will definitely not be an easy proposition and will be a true test of their character.
South Africa have been at their dominating best in Tests but inconsistencies in the shorter format of the game could give Dhoni's men an upper hand. South Africa's habit of succumbing in pressure situations, as seen in the home series loss to Pakistan, may not bode well for them.
If India manage to pull off a series win in coloured clothing, they will get to carry their winning momentum into the Test series and put the South Africans on the back foot even before a single ball is bowled in the two-match Test series.
Head-to-head
India have played in the rainbow nation on four occasions and are yet to register a Test series win. Their first and only Test win came in 2006-07 when S Sreesanth - currently banned on allegations of spot-fixing - unleashed his accurate seam position, coupled with natural aggression to help India skittle out South Africa for 84 and paved the way for a comprehensive 123-run victory.
Schedule:
December 5th 2013: South Africa vs India, 1st ODI at Johannesburg
December 8th 2013: South Africa vs India, 2nd ODI at Durban
December 11 2013: South Africa vs India, 3rd ODI at Centurion
December 18-22 2013: South Africa vs India, 1st Test at Johannesburg
December 26-30 2013: South Africa vs India, 2nd Test at Durban