Published: Dec 10, 2013, 06:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 11, 2013, 12:24 PM (IST)
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
Dec 9, 2013
South Africa will aim for a clean sweep against a struggling Indian side in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at SuperSport Park, Centurion on Wednesday. India, who have lost both the ODIs by huge margins, will hope to get their act together and register a consolatory win.
Having lost the first two games by huge margins, and conceding the series in the process, this is India’s chance to seal a morale-boosting victory ahead of the Test series. On the other hand, expect South Africa to be ruthless and aim for a clean-sweep.
The batting has disappointed in both games as they looked uncomfortable against Dale Steyn and Co. However, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma would open the batting with Virat Kohli coming in at No 3. If Yuvraj Singh is fit, he might walk in at No 4 in place of Ajinkya Rahane, who played the last game instead of the southpaw.
Suresh Raina and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would complete the line-up with Ravindra Jadeja at No 7 as the all-rounder. However, there could be a possibility of Ambati Rayudu getting a game. As India have nothing to lose, they may want to give the bench a bit of a go.
The fast-bowling attack would comprise the likes of Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. Perhaps Bhuvneshwar Kumar may return to the side instead of Ishant Sharma. Ravichandran Ashwin is the leading spinner, but if required, there is an Amit Mishra waiting to have a go.
South Africa have a settled unit with Hashim Amla and the young star Quinton de Kock opening the batting. Jacques Kallis’ role may be under the scanner a touch as he has to re-establish himself ahead of the World Cup. A good performance with the bat would certainly help him in that regard.
AB de Villiers and JP Duminy would form the middle-order with David Miller being one of the young stars to watch out for.
It looks like South Africa would continue to give India that pace treatment. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Vernon Philander and McLaren would make life tough for the Indian batsmen and make them struggle. But, will there be a temptation to play a spinner? Perhaps South Africa may not want to give India some leeway and allow a tweaker to come in.
South Africa look good to register clean sweep, but India too have some fight and they would be eager to record a victory. The focus then shifts to the Test series.
Teams:
South Africa (probable): Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers (c), Jacques Kallis, David Miller, JP Duminy, Ryan McLaren, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
India (probable): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Time: 13.30 local | 17.00 IST
