South Africa drew first blood in the ODI series between themselves and India when they won a thrilling opener in Kanpur on Sunday and they can take a significant lead in the series when the two sides meet for the second time in Indore on Wednesday.
South Africa head to Indore knowing that a win will give them a 2-0 lead with three to play and give them one hand on the series win. India will be desperate to level the series and set up a best of three from here on in.
India should have won the opening match in Indore but a mistimed last few overs saw them steal defeat from the jaws of victory but they performed in the main with the bat which will have pleased them after their T20 debacle with the willow.
South Africa will be pleased to have won in Kanpur but they will know that they should have defended 305 much more confidently than they did. AB de Villiers produced another special innings but they can’t keep relying on that and their middle order will need to step up as the series goes along.
India are likely to be without R Ashwin after the spinner left the field with a side strain in Kanpur. He is expected to miss at least the next two matches which is a blow. Harbhajan Singh has been added to the squad but Axar Patel looks like being first in line as replacement.
South Africa look to be in the good position of not needing to make any changes just yet. If they did want to freshen up their bowling attack then they have Kyle Abbott and Chris Morris waiting in the wings while Aaron Phangiso could play as the wicket is expected to turn.
This match will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. It will be the fourth time an international match has been played on this ground. India have won the previous three matches here with scores over 285 each time.
Last time an ODI was held here in 2011 India made 418/5 against the West Indies with Virender Sehwag making 219. This is a high scoring ground but it is also a ground where the spinners are likely to be in play a lot more than the seamers so you would think India will be favoured by conditions.
India have yet to win a match since South Africa came to town but they were unlucky in the last match. Ashwin’s injury meant that Dhoni needed to find five overs of part time stuff and that ultimately set South Africa on their way.
Even then the home side were well in touch with the target but just couldn’t get over the line but with a full bowling attack throughout the innings here and the added focus that a near miss provides I’m confident that Dhoni’s men will finally taste success here.
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