When the first T20 match between India and South Africa kicks off in the cool climes of the picturesque Dharamsala Stadium on Gandhi Jayanti, it would be signaling the onset of the World T20 WC which is just round the corner and about to unfold in India. In this context, the three-match series has immense value as it will offer ample scope for both the teams to find and test the best possible combination and strategies required for the bigger tournament.
The argument that the visiting teams always struggle to put their act together in sub-continental conditions notwithstanding, the present South African contingent is well-equipped to deal with them as their top notch performers are IPl regulars.
Dhoni-led side has its task cut out: To plug all the loopholes which resurface every now and then. Winning this series will not only keep the team’s morale high but also give the players’ the much required confidence for the tough job ahead. Conversely a slow start will have the opposite effect.
Besides, Dhoni will be returning to the mainstream after almost a three-and-a-half-month hibernation and his performance both as a player and skipper will be under the management’s lens.
India, always a strong team at home, possess dangerous players in the T20 format. Even though the South Africans are not far behind, India have an edge as playing against India in India has been one of the most difficult propositions for cricketers.
Though Team India players like Rohit Sharma have warned against reading too much into South Africa’s loss to India A in the warm-up game at Delhi India have a strong batting line-up which includes solid top order batsmen like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan and well-supported by strong middle order with Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. The South Africans are ranked sixth in T20s and desperate to improve their ranking which will give them the hunger to tackle all odds and emerge strong at the mouth of the WC. With that in mind, the strongest possible T20 combination should have been selected for this series.
The absence of Steyn and Morkel for this series makes Proteas’ bowling attack weak. Indian batsmen will capitalize to this. South Africa would depend on the services of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who has played only six T20s thus far. So, the onus of leading the attack will fall on tweaker Imran Tahir, but he has an uphill task with Indian players being adept at handling spin. South Africa batsmen have always been troubled by spinners in the sub-continent and the deadly form of Ashwin and the presence of Amit Mishra and Harbhajan will give Dhoni enough options to unsettle his opponents. The Proteas would also be relying on rampager AB de Villiers but fact is that de Villiers’ record against India in T20s is not too robust.
Considering this, Faf du Plessis will have to be on top of his game and the selection of the right combination would be crucial for the Proteas. Impact players would have to be used to the optimum. So an exciting time contest is on the cards.