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India vs South Africa, 2nd ODI, Feb 4, 2018, Centurion 1:30PM IST

Shunya

By Shunya
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Shunya

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Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa: LWWWL
India: WWWLW

In the spotlight

With du Plessis gone, the batting onus falls on Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, but you can't realistically expect them to bat through the innings. When the spin is on, JP Duminy and David Miller will somehow have to find a way if South Africa are to succeed. Neither of them carries a great reputation against spin, but their numbers against spin - even though they dip as compared to pace - are not bleak. Miller strikes at 6.67 an over against pace; it comes down to 5.4 against spin. The corresponding numbers for Duminy are 5.94 and 4.62. Their averages against spin are 39.08 and 39.93. If they can do what their averages against spin suggests, they should be fine, but India's spinners are anything but average.

Virat Kohli doesn't offer too many chances in ODIs. In Durban, he offered one with no runs to his name, and South Africa had only one slip. What's more, the diving first slip, du Plessis, even broke his finger going for the catch. Kohli was then involved in a run-out, but the genius of his ODI batting showed in how he never let the asking rate get big enough to put pressure on his side. He did so without so much as taking a risk. South Africa know they can put pressure on India if they get past Kohli, but it is the getting-past-Kohli part they don't seem to know much about at the moment.

Team news

Aiden Markram, not a certain starter in the last match, will captain South Africa in du Plessis' absence. Du Plessis' spot could go to Khaya Zondo or Farhaan Behardien. While Zondo was there in the squad already, Behardien's experience could count in his favour. After returns of 10-0-51-0, Imran Tahir will be under a little pressure, but he should keep his place.

South Africa (probable): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Aiden Markram, 4 Khaya Zondo/ Farhaan Behardien, 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Andile Phehlukwayo, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

The Highveld might not be the ideal place to play two spinners, but India have been confident in their ability to do well in any conditions. Expect them to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. India could look to rest one of their quicks. Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn't play the Centurion Test either so if Shardul Thakur comes in, it could be at the expense of Bhuvneshwar.

India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt.), 4 Ajinkya Rahane, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar/ Shardul Thakur, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Pitch and conditions

The average first-innings score in Centurion in the last five ODIs is 332. However, they have all been day-night matches. The last day match played here was in November 2013, when Pakistan were bowled out for 179. In the last five day ODIs in Centurion, sides batting first have lost four times. Expect runs, but bowling first might be the way to go.

Stats and trivia

  • Ajinkya Rahane has now scored five consecutive fifties in ODIs, only the third batsman to do so for India.

  • Leaving out India's wristspinners, South Africa lost only one wicket and went at 6.23 an over against the rest in the first ODI.

  • Aiden Markram is South Africa's second-youngest ODI captain, behind Graeme Smith.

 

Go India Go :cheer: 

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Shunya Newbie

Shunya

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7 minutes ago, WC2011INDIA said:

He was always going to be the next captain after Faf. Post world cup 2019, expect him to lead the side. 

Thats true...but he has not even proven himself yet. Its just 2 odis. Bold move. Similar to Graeme Smith move in old days...

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