A win and India stays afloat. It’s easier said than done. Especially when South Africa is looking to seal the series with a win in the fourth ODI to be played at Chepauk on Thursday.
“It would be nice to go to Mumbai with the series sealed,” said Dale Steyn on the eve of the match. But with Duminy ruled out of the series, it’s going to be increasingly tricky to arrive at a team composition.
His replacement Dean Elgar arrived early in the morning on Wednesday and is a doubtful starter. “Dean arrived this morning, around 3,” he said, before delivering the punchline, “typical Dean,” to amused chortling.
On the nature of the wicket here, he said that it wouldn’t be too different while acknowledging the fact that it was not going to be easy for the fast bowlers.
“Compared to the other pitches we’ve played on so far, I don’t think it’s going to be too different. It might probably be pretty slow and assist turn. But not a fast bowler’s paradise.”
He said the sapping Chennai heat would not be a debilitating factor for his team. “I don’t think it’s a setback. We’ve already been in India for two weeks. So the heat is not really a big factor.”
Rabada factorHe shared his impressions on right-arm pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has been quite impressive. “He’s got great attitude. He’s got everything a fast bowler needs. He’s got pace, a good build. He’s quite tall and intimidating. He’s asking a lot of questions in the nets. He just wants to improve all the time. Every time he takes the ball, it’s exciting to watch. He has got some attention around him already. I think he’s going to have a wonderful career.”
Reflecting on the new ODI rules that allow for an extra fielder at the boundary in the last 10 overs of an innings, he said, “It does help a lot more. I think it makes the contest between bat and ball more even now.”
Stressing on the significance of pace, which he believes has held the South African pace battery in good stead, he said: “The major thing about our quick bowlers is that all of them bowl over 140kmph making it really tough for the batsmen.
Smart cricketOff-spinner Harbhajan Singh said as far as India was concerned, the focus was on playing smarter cricket.
“We have to be smarter than we have been in the last three games. In batting, the focus would be on rotating the strike instead of looking to hit each and every ball.”
Saying that it had been exciting to play along with two more spinners in Amit Mishra and Axar Patel, he expressed happiness on his personal form.
“It’s been nice to be bowling with them. Our combination lends variety to the team. I’m happy to be playing and doing well for India again.”
Asked on his hopes for a Test comeback, came a terse reply: “I’ll get there.”
