What India should do to win the 3rd ODI vs South Africa
NDTVCricket has put together five things India needs to do to finish the limited-overs series on a high:
Having conceded the series with two humbling defeats in the first two ODI's during their tour of South Africa, India aim for a consolation win in the third and final ODI in Centurion on Wednesday. The visitors have won two out of three one-dayers they have played against South Africa at the Super Sport Park. While that should give the Men in Blue some much-needed confidence, they will need to display aggression in the field to counter the hosts. NDTVCricket has put together five things India needs to do to finish the limited-overs series on a high:
India's top-3 need to fire
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are averaging 6, 18.50 and 15.50 on the tour. In recent times India's success has depended on them. South Africa's batting stalwart Hashim Amla said: "They're the number one team in the world, they're not there for no reason. I do think we have the best bowling attack in the world, so you have to give our bowlers some due as well". Which is why it is of paramount importance that Rohit, Shikhar and Virat show their class that rates them among the top-5 ODI batsman this year.
MS Dhoni should bat higher up the order
With Yuvraj Singh injured, MS Dhoni is India's senior-most batsman on tour. He is also the highest scorer for India after the first two ODIs, with 84 runs. So, while the series may be lost it wouldn't be a bad idea for MS Dhoni to push himself higher up the batting order. Even on overseas tours the skipper boasts a great average while batting at numbers three and four.
See off the dangerous Dale Steyn
Consider this, in 15 high-quality overs in the series so far, Dale Steyn has conceded just 42 runs and taken six wickets. Rohit Sharma might have overdone it when he didn't touch the first 16 deliveries Steyn bowled in the first ODI but it wouldn't be a bad idea for all other batsmen to see him off. NDTV Cricket expert Sunil Gavaskar agrees: "Just play Dale Steyn's five overs out and then look to score against the lesser bowlers".
Bat first on winning the toss
MS Dhoni won the toss on both occasions but chose to bowl first. If it hasn't worked twice, then maybe India should start with it's strength - batting. With the added advantage of no pressure of chasing a total in the third ODI the batsmen could put on a formidable score.
Dismiss either Hashim Amla or Quinton de Kock early in the innings
In the first ODI, Hashim Amla and Quntion de Kock put on a 152-run opening stand. In the second ODI they were involved in a 194-run partnership. De Kock has 241 runs in the series, with successive centuries, while Amla has scored 165 runs. The duo have scored 63 per cent of South Africa's runs in the series. Only if the Indian pacers get an early breakthrough, do the world No.1 ODI team stand a chance of winning.