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Every cricket team is strong in their backyard as they know their conditions really well. Especially there is a saying which is very popular “If you are hurt make the most out of it”. This is exactly the same condition that the current Indian Team is going through, having been completely outplayed in ODI and Test series against New Zealand.
When South Africa will be touring India, the home team (India) will have to redeem their pride by playing there best cricket, however, India is expected to win as their win percentage in their backyard has been superb. Faf du Plessis has made comeback to the South African Squad for ODIs against India. The experience of Du Plessis will come handy in the series. Ever since Quinton de Kock has taken over the captaincy, he has changed the outlook for SA cricket by giving solid contributions from his bat and wicket keeping and his decision-making skills.
Let’s have a look at the list of players especially 5 players from both the sides that need to look out for this upcoming series.
- De Kock will be the most important person in the south African lineup ahead of the upcoming series against India. After becoming the captain, he is leading the team well and it will be a huge test for him that how he will lead proteas against Mighty Indian team in their familiar conditions. Quinton De Kock’s stats in India for ODI matches are 13 innings, 784 Runs, 5 fifties, 1 century, Highest Score 135, Average 60.31, Strike Rate: 91.48.
2. Ngidi has become a mainstay in South African Bowling lineup. He and Rabada have led South African Attack wonderfully from the last couple of years. Ngidi Recently took 6 wickets against Australia and that prove his mettle. Ngidi has played for Chennai Super Kings under Ms Dhoni Captaincy and performed well for Csk in Crunch Situations. Ngidi being the prime fast bowler for South Africa needs to perform well against India and, if performs to his complete ability, he can make a big difference in this series.
3. Henry Klassen
Klassen have been in the south African team and has contributed well in the current series against Australia as he would be one of the biggest bets to look out for. He has immense potential and it is important to see that how he face fast bowlers i.e Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and spin sensation Yuzvendra Chahal. Klassen needs to strengthen the middle order batting for South Africa and we need to see how he contributes with the bat especially in middle order when it comes to building score or chasing.
4. Virat Kohli:
India’s ace batsman, Virat Kohli will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulder to win the series. However, the Indian captain has been going through a rough patch. He scored only 36 runs in four innings in the last two tests which remind of the bad patch Kohli underwent in 2014 series of England where he hit rock bottom. He would look to put his poor form behind him and pile runs ahead of the series against South Africa.
5. Jasprit Bumrah has been the prime fast bowler for India in the past couple of years. An artist of death bowling, Bumrah has today become one of the most sought-after cricketers. However, there is no point denying that there has been a drastic contrast between Bumrah’s pre-injury and post-injury. As he is not getting that much number of wickets post-injury. He would look to put up a stronger show ahead in the series against South Africa.
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