India ready for a crack at history

Cape Town, February 7

India will have their sights set on an unprecedented 3-0 lead when they take on South Africa, who have fallen apart due to injury blows, in the third ODI of the six-match series here tomorrow. The visitors won the first two matches of the series in Durban and Centurion by six and nine wickets, respectively, dismantling the home side with consummate ease.
India have managed to win two ODIs in a bilateral series in South Africa twice previously, but ended up losing the series on both occasions. But given the hosts’ current travails, not winning a series this time would be a disaster for the Men in Blue. The Proteas are beset with injury problems. AB de Villiers was ruled out before the first ODI, Faf du Plessis before the second (both suffered finger injuries). And the list has got longer with Quinton de Kock (left wrist injury) ruled out before the third ODI.
Meanwhile, the Indian team has hit a purple patch. Virat Kohli, who has named 35 different playing elevens in 35 Tests, could very well field the same team for this third successive ODI. Consistency will give them a boost in what is surely a match of historic significance, albeit a small one, as India have never before won three matches in an ODI bilateral series on South African soil.
We can win anywhere, says Dhawan
Opener Shikhar Dhawan believes that the Indian team has the balance and X-factor to succeed anywhere and that augurs well for their chances in the 2019 World Cup in England. “We have a lot of experience. For instance, this is my second tour to South Africa, so I was better equipped for this tour, mentally and skill-wise. That plays a big role,” Dhawan said on the eve of the third ODI against South Africa.
“The good thing is, there’s both experience and youth, and the younger players are playing like they have had a lot of experience. That is a big strength of ours.”
Dhawan promised that India will not take their foot off the pedal. “I don’t think we are going to get complacent. It’s a big series for us. And, of course, South Africa played very well in the Test series. So we’d like to go as hard as possible and try to win whatever games come our way.”
Spin stung

Besides injuries, wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are hurting the hosts a lot. The duo has shared 13 wickets between them in the first two ODIs. “It is difficult to play wrist-spinners because they can turn the ball on flat tracks also. And when the ball starts turning, with SA players not used to it, it can create doubts in batsman’s mind, which is why they are effective,” said Dhawan.
The opener said South Africa have not scored enough runs in the series, and they are fearful of the spinners; so much so that the Proteas had quite a few leg-spinners at their nets on the eve of the third ODI. “I won’t say it’s lack of patience. You’re playing ODI cricket, so you have to score some runs. If you defend 50 balls and don’t score, then that’s of no use. They are losing a lot of wickets in the middle, which is why they can’t get to the targets they are trying to get,” said the opener.
“If you have some confusion or doubt, its first affects your thinking. No matter who the batsman is, it shows in your batting. If they can’t read our spinners, then they’ll be more cautious while playing them.”
Dhawan played the first Test at Cape Town, but didn’t feature at Centurion and Johannesburg. Since then, he has made a fine return to the ODI side with scores of 35 and 51 not out. He had looked good in Durban before being run-out in a mix-up with Virat Kohli.
Pitch not dry

The Newlands pitch didn’t appear to be as dry as the ones at Durban and Centurion. It looked a typical South African batting wicket with plenty of bounce. The outfield though looked lush green, never mind the on-going drought situation.