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India's Tour to South Africa, 2013

Chandan

By Chandan
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SLICKR392 Newbie

SLICKR392

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Dhoni deadbats suggestions of tense reception for India in SA

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MS Dhoni and his team arrived in Johannesburg this morning to cloudy skies and cold shoulders. But they don't know too much about the latter. At least, not yet. Matters seemed routine when Dhoni and his delegation got into the team bus, drove to the hotel in Sandton where they will spend most of their time on this tour, given that Durban is the only other city they will see, and the captain readied himself for his first media engagement. The number of South African reporters outnumbered their Indian counterparts and they had more than just the cricket on their minds. The second question - the first was an almost mandatory one about how the Indian squad is coping with the absence of Sachin Tendulkar - was whether Dhoni was aware of the anger surrounding the tour. Dhoni smiled his signature smile. If people were upset with him, he seemed to be saying, he would meet that with pleasantries. "We can arrange a match for the administrators and let them go at it," he suggested. There was laughter all around. "The relationship between the Indian and South African teams has been good. Though we've seen a bit of chirping going around, it makes cricket interesting. The guys have not become too personal, which means we will have a good series." Although the Sreesanth-Graeme Smith incident from three years ago goes against the good-natured sportsmanship Dhoni made reference to, no-one was talking about that. Members of the teams have friendships which stretch back to their time playing together in competitions like the IPL, but that's not what will be in the spotlight. Instead, the public's response to this whistle-stop tour that was supposed to headline the South African summer will be the backdrop against which this series will be played. From a bumper schedule of two T20s, seven ODIs and three Tests, the biggest series South Africa was due to host this year has been shortened to a piddly three ODIs and two Tests. For that, people are angry. Worse for Dhoni and Co, those people have no-one to whom they can direct their anger except the Indian team. Administrators will not make appearances mere metres away from where a fan's voice can carry. Already social media platforms have been buzzing with a few harsh words, and words are not the only thing some journalists think will be hurled at the Indian team. One asked Dhoni what he would do an object was flung at his team. "We'll pick it up and give it back," he said. "That's all we can do." Then again, he may not have to think about any of that because there has also been suggestion that supporters would consider not going to matches at all, in a vote with your feet demonstration of their displeasure. Dhoni hopes that will not be the case either. "Whenever we have come here, we've got fantastic reception," he said. "I don't think that will really change." Luckily for Dhoni, his team won't be going to Cape Town where the irritation is at its highest, so he may not see the worst of it. The New Year's Test was cancelled because of the curtailed tour and people in the Mother City have to make do with a festival of 20-overs cricket instead. Only Johannesburg and Durban will host Test cricket for the remainder of this year, a disappointment for those in the rest of the country who long to watch their No. 1 team in action. While Graeme Smith has made public comments calling for an end to two-Test series and asking for South Africa to play more in the longest format, Dhoni would not be drawn into doing the same. "I don't pay that much attention to how many games we are playing," he said. "We have a busy schedule and it's a schedule we need to respect. What is in our hands is three ODIs and two Tests, so we will look to make the most of it and move on to the next series." If pure cricket is all that concerns Dhoni then he will be relishing the prospect of playing a South African ODI team that is still grappling to get its batting combinations right. India have been a force in the 50-overs version, led by explosive hitting, and Dhoni expects more of the same starting on Thursday. "If you love the ball coming on to the bat, that's what you will see," he said. He admitted to not having watched much of the recently-concluded series between Pakistan and South Africa but said he would not judge it on the scorelines alone. He expects heated competition and a stern test of India's skills, which Duncan Fletcher believes are ready for the challenge of South African surfaces. "The way the guys have played recently, they've got a lot of confidence," Fletcher said. "We were facing Australia the other day and Mitchell Johnson was getting up to 151kmph. Our top four was handling it quite well. Our batting seems technically equipped. The only thing is the experience. But this lot is confident, they've got no baggage and they really believe in themselves." Although India are touring with one of their least experienced squads, Fletcher also think they have prepared sufficiently. Six members of the current ODI squad toured South Africa in August to play first-class and List A matches. Memorably, Shikhar Dhawan scored 248 in one of the limited-overs matches. The surfaces were flat, winter pitches, though, and will likely not resemble anything India will play on in this series but Fletcher thinks the trip still had value for the players. "To come out here and play in South Africa against this opposition, the players get a feel for the way they play cricket here," he said. "Psychologically it's quite an advantage." Given that mind games are going to play a significant role in the series - be it against South African team or their public - mental strength is one thing India will need on this tour.

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GoldenSun Newbie

GoldenSun

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I never studied for Computer Science exam :) it's all about logic
True true :). It's just that I started programming last year and im in the learning process of relying only on logic. It's more of putting myself in a comfort zone. In the U.S., you don't learn programming atleast until college, or unless you take an after school course.
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Yoda-esque Newbie

Yoda-esque

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Cricinfo article excerpt: Murali Vijay camps on his back foot generally, and has tremendous hands. Through the off side and to full balls on the leg, he oozes grace with every caressed drive and flick. It is almost as if it was VVS all over again, except he had now developed a bit of a swagger, didn't have a dodgy back and knees, and didn't mind hitting the occasional ball in anger. Will that silken brushstroke pull be unfurled at some point? Or does that require an exposure to matting pitches in your early cricket? :hysterical:

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MCcricket Apprentice

MCcricket

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Virat Kohli can step into Sachin Tendulkar's shoes: Allan Donald Former South African speedster Allan Donald feels the current Indian team won't be scared to play on fast and bouncy pitches. He picks out Mohammed Shami as a special bowler. NDTVCricket | Last updated on Monday, 02 December 2013 23:20 Print font size - + Ads by Google A Dynamic Hair School – Your Future Is Bright At The Paul Mitchell School. Schedule A Tour! EastBay.PaulMitchell.edu Allan Donald has paid a massive tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's young Team India saying this is an outfit that can look the opponent in the eye. Unlike previous Indian squads which found pace and bounce difficult to handle, Donald feels the current team will not be intimidated by South African pitches and their traditional bounce and pace. (Adjusting to South African conditions will be tough for Indians, says Omar Henry) Speaking to DNA, Donald, now a TV commentator, said: "The best thing I like about India now is that they have hardened up. They are no more that team that used to come to South Africa and were left intimidated by our pitches -- the bounce and the pace. The difference is in their approach. They have a killer instinct going and a lot of young blood has changed perceptions." (Mahendra Singh Dhoni hints he will miss Gautam Gambhir in South Africa) India arrived in Johannesburg on Monday for a three-ODI and two-Test series. The series, drastically curtailed due to a myriad of administrative issues between the Indian cricket Board and its South African counterpart, will be a mouth-watering affair with India as the world's leading ODI team and South Africa, No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings. Donald reckons this India team must be treated with great respect and had the ability to live with a Sachin Tendulkar. (Zaheer Khan needs express pace to be effective, says Fanie de Villiers) Virat Kohli, of course, will be the man in the spotlight. Many see the prolific Kohli, the No. 1 ODI batsman in the world, as the man to fill Tendulkar's big shoes and Donald is no different. "Look how well Virat Kohli is playing. I feel Kohli seems to step into the shoes Sachin left behind. I know it is impossible to replace a legend like him but Kohli has been amazing. His recent records speak about his talent," Donald said. (We will fight fire with fire in South Africa, says MS Dhoni) With more than 600 international wickets, Donald was known for lethal pace and his run-ins with the world's best batsmen. Known as White Lighting, Donald feels Indian bowlers are well equipped to exploit the conditions in South Africa. The 47-year-old former star picks out Mohammed Shami Ahmed for special mention and says with a white Kookaburra ball in his hand, "he will run in hard." Donald said: "I am really impressed with Mohammad Shami. He looks like a tough guy. He executes the swing pretty good." (The rise and rise of Mohammed Shami in his own words) Backing Zaheer Khan for his rich experience, Pune Warriors coach Donald says Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be a handful too. "He can reverse the ball both ways and they can be handy. If he generates some bounce, he will do good in South Africa," said Donald. Considering Donald's analysis, it will be foolish to say India will go in as the underdogs. With their batsmen in prime form, India's bowlers will be no punching bags. (AB de Villiers banks on seamers to take down India) For the latest Cricket news, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and get the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS Story first published on: Monday, 02 December 2013
Donald has indepth knowledge of both the Indians due to IPL and SAFFERS and provides a good picture
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Sidhoni Newbie

Sidhoni

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Rahane gearing up to grab opportunity

The morning after Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test ended at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Ajinkya Rahane arrived at the Mumbai Cricket Association's facility at Bandra-Kurla Complex, and began working long hours in the nets with former Mumbai coach Pravin Amre to prepare for the upcoming tour of South Africa. "I've been practising with Amre sir and playing the short balls for the last nine-ten days with a wet rubber ball and plastic ball. I am sure that will help me a lot." Rahane told reporters at the Wankhede Stadium, a day after he was named in India's squad for the Test and ODI series in South Africa. Despite being a regular in India's squad for more than two years, Rahane has rarely featured in the XI. However, Rahane is now believed to be the frontrunner to fill up the spot vacated by Tendulkar in the Test team. "We will obviously miss Sachin a lot. Someone like Sachin has not only been a part of the Indian team for almost 24 years but has also carried the burden of all the expectations on his shoulders. We all will definitely miss him. At the same time, it's an opportunity for some of us, especially myself. But I don't want to be bogged down by the pressure. I just want to enjoy the moment and enjoy my opportunity." Rahane's inclusion in the ODI squad came as a surprise to many and it indicated that he wouldn't be tagged as a Test specialist. "Having been selected for the ODIs as well, I am really happy for myself," he said. "I did well in the last CLT20 and I am really confident and looking forward to the series."
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