India vs South Africa: Russell Domingo wary of wily Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Kanpur ODI

 

South African coach Russell Domingo has warned his team to not to "get too cocky" has urged the team to focus their energy on the first One-Day International, which starts in Kanpur on Sunday. (India vs South Africa: India Will Fight Back Hard in ODI Series, Says JP Duminy)

"We shouldn't get too cocky and confident on what has happened as we know India are a very quality side. As far as I'm concerned, India are pretty good in all three formats," Domingo said after winning the Twenty20 Trophy.

South Africa clinched the three-match T20 series 2-0. The third and final T20 was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Kolkata. (Day-Night Games Will Become a Reality in Kanpur, Says Rajeev Shukla)

And Domingo has already identified Ravichandran Ashwin as the potential threat, who has managed to get their star batsman AB de Villiers two times. (India vs South Africa: Mahendra Singh Dhoni Wants Spinner-Friendly Pitches For ODI Series)

"I wouldn't say he (AB) is having a problem with Ashwin. Ashwin has got him out twice but that's part of the game.

"I think he has played him well. I don't think AB has a problem with Ashwin. He got 50 off 34 balls in the first game and 19 in the second," said Domingo.

Domingo said that even though they are happy the way they have started off the 72-day-long series, it would be advisable to take one game at a time.

"We are very pleased with the results so far, but we have only played two days of cricket and there's 25 days left.

"We have to focus all our energy on Kanpur. We have to approach one game at a time and not look too far ahead," Domingo added.

The coach also heaped praise on promising South African pacer Kagiso Rabada who troubled Indian batsmen with his raw pace.

Rabada, who finished with 1/18 in Cuttack have likes of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn to look up to and managing him would be the key challenge for the South African support staff.

"He has been phenomenal. He's a very mature cricketer for a 20-year-old. We are very pleased with his performance. We know the workload on fast bowlers can be challenging," said Domingo.

Rabada rose into prominence with a record 14 wickets for Lions in their 10-wicket win over Dolphins in a first class match earlier this year, and then claimed a 6/16 on ODI debut in Bangladesh.

"Managing him and playing him at the right time will be very crucial for us. It's very important. Dale is an iconic bowler.

"Dale played with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald who were big mentors for him. Same with Morne. Dale will have to do the same," Domingo said.