India needs some out-of-the-box thinking

South Africa, despite Duminy’s absence and Morkel’s sore quads, will look to close it out.

October 22, 2015 01:54 am | Updated November 29, 2021 01:13 pm IST - Chennai:

Tactically, the ODI at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday could be stimulating.

Will India employ an off-spinner with the new ball to counter the in-form left-handed opener Quinton de Kock? Getting Harbhajan Singh to send down a few overs early on might undo the South African game-plan.

The host’s batting has been disappointing with the pacing of the innings coming under scrutiny. India might require some out-of-the-box thinking.

Getting the out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan to bat lower down the order might resolve some issues. With his strong shoulders, Dhawan is a telling striker of the ball who can do some damage later in the order as well. Ajinkya Rahane, who essentially harnesses the pace on the ball, can be promoted to the opening slot where he offers more value to the team. Dhawan can lend variety to the middle-order too with his left-handed ways.

Balance of power

And skipper M.S. Dhoni has to walk out at No. 6 where the presence of an extra fifth fielder outside the ring has tilted the balance of power — rightly so — in the favour of bowlers in the final 10 overs. His running between the wickets and power hitting will lend momentum to the Indian innings towards the end.

Will South Africa, in the absence of an injured Jean-Paul Duminy, boldly opt for an additional bowler? The visitor is expected to continue with the judicious use of the short-pitched delivery from its pacemen to hustle and prise out Indian batsmen.

Morne Morkel and the young and impressive Kagiso Rabada have pounded the Indian batsmen with some excellent short-pitched bowling. And you can never quite count someone as mercurial as Dale Steyn out.

However, South Africa will be sweating on the fitness of Morne Morkel. The beanpole paceman has sore quads and underwent a fitness test on the eve of the contest.

Morkel has been influential for South Africa with his disconcerting lift and teasing line. The South Africans might take a chance with him in their attempt to nail the series here. Morkel could be used in short bursts, at crucial stages of the innings. Yet, an uncertainty over his availability remains.

Much will be at stake at Chepauk. South Africa will be going in for the kill. India needs to fight back in the fourth ODI to stay in the series. Leading 2-1, A.B. de Villiers and his men have the opportunity to close out the five-match series.

The surface here could offer bounce and carry in the initial stages. The bowlers might have their chances but then the ball could also come on to the bat during a phase when the batsmen can get maximum value for their shots once they pierce the inner ring.

A hot and humid day has been forecast. As the match progresses, the spinners could come into play. The heat might open up a couple of cracks on the pitch.

Game-changers

Despite Duminy’s absence — his replacement Dean Elgar joined the side in the early hours of Wednesday — South Africa has game-changers in Hashim Amla, de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, de Kock and David Miller. But the side will miss Duminy’s handy off-spin.

Apart from the pacemen, leg-spinner Imran Tahir represents a threat to the host. He comprehends the dynamics of bowling in limited-over matches.

Batting first, getting to a sizeable total and squeezing out the South Africans with spin represents India’s best chance.

Although leg-spinner Amit Mishra is facing allegations of assault on a woman, he is expected to figure in Thursday’s game. India has a spin attack of variety in leggie Mishra, off-spinner Harbhajan and left-arm spinner Axar Patel. They need to strike.

The teams (from):

India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), Rohit Sharma, S. Dhawan, V. Kohli, A. Rahane, S. Raina, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, A. Mishra, Mohit Sharma, S. Binny, A. Rayudu, Gurkeerat Singh, S. Arvind.

South Africa: A.B. de Villiers (captain), Q. de Kock, D. Miller, H. Amla, F. du Plessis, F. Behardin, D. Elgar, D. Steyn, M. Morkel, I. Tahir, K. Rabada, C. Morris, A. Phangiso, K. Zondo, K. Abbott.

Play starts at 1.30 p.m.

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