After winning the T20 series against India, South Africa now look to beat the same opponents over the 50 over format when the two teams meet in a five match series which begins on Sunday.
India will go into the series looking to build on a win over Zimbabwe in their last 50 over series. Since the beginning of 2013 India have played 12 bilateral series and have won nine of them so this is very much their strongest format.
South Africa were World Cup semi-finalists in this format earlier in the year and have called for the cavalry for this series with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the squad. They are quietly becoming a very accomplished side and will be looking to show that in this series.
India have gone for reinforcements too with Umesh Yadav coming into their squad for the series but from what we saw in the T20s it is the batting which has to be strengthened if they are to get anything out of these five matches.
South Africa will change their strategy for this series from the T20s. AB de Villiers will drop down the order to concentrate on batting and captaining and Quinton de Kock will open the batting and keep wicket. It will be interesting to see which player the Proteas play at number seven.
I think this will be a good series to watch. This is India’s best format but South Africa aren’t too far behind so I’m expecting this to be close throughout. I’d go with India to edge it but I think the prices are about right.
There are a couple of markets where I do like bets though. The first is in the Top India Series Batsman market where I think we saw enough from Rohit Sharma in the T20 series to suggest he is a good thing in this format.
Sharma hit a wonderful century in the T20 series and we know how good he is over 50 overs. He has a double century in the format. He is probably India’s best player against seam which will be important with South Africa having the heavy artillery back for this series and he is adept against spin too.
Virat Kohli is a worthy favourite on class but certainly not on form as the future captain isn’t in the greatest form of his life at the minute. He also bats lower than Sharma too so I like the opener in this market.
Another market where I see potential is in the Top South Africa bowler market where Imran Tahir is a worthy favourite. Over the course of the five matches I don’t see the seamers getting enough joy to deny the leggie his moment in the spotlight.
It might be that the biggest danger to Tahir is him not playing every match but I still think he’ll have every chance even if he only misses one match. The longer the series goes on the more I think spin will start to dominate and with Tahir’s ability to turn the ball both ways I’m hoping he’s a good thing here.
Back R.Sharma Top India Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with 888Sport
Back I.Tahir Top South Africa Series Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with Stan James
