Kris Srikkanth believes South Africa have embarrassed everyone with their dismal performance

Kris Srikkanth believes South Africa have embarrassed everyone with their dismal performance

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Kris Srikkanth has asserted that South Africa’s dismal performance, in the absence of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, is embarrassing for everyone in the cricketing world. The former Indian opener also said that SA has failed to put up a fighting show that is expected of a top-ranked team.

South Africa find themselves 2-0 down to India in the six-match ODI series after failing miserably to tackle the Indian spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Also, they have failed to contain the batting exploits of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ajinkya Rahane who have helped India in chasing the targets set up by the Proteas quite comfortably.

Writing in his column for TOI, Srikkanth wrote, "For all practical purposes, the one-day series looks over and out. South Africa have hardly displayed the fighting qualities that one would normally associate with a top-ranked team. Frankly, their performance has left everyone a tad embarrassed.”

South Africa were already without AB de Villiers for the first three ODIs, but also lost captain Faf du Plessis after the first ODI due to a finger injury which has ruled him out for the remainder of the ODI series. To make things worse the Proteas also lost first choice wicketkeeper, Quinton de Kock, through a wrist injury.

"I understand that the hosts are missing their two premier batsmen due to injury, but don't tell me that the team is so heavily dependent on AB and Faf that they can't even put up a fight against two wrist spinners who are not very experienced,” said Srikkanth.

"Now with Quinton de Kock also ruled out, I am not even able to imagine the top-order putting a semblance of a fight. The only way out could be India drop their level drastically. I don't see that happening and the 5-1 verdict that I predicted could actually go wrong.”

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have created havoc in the South African batting line-up in the first two games, as they were able to capture 13 wickets by leaking just 121 runs in their combined 34.2 overs in the first two games.

"Full credit to Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal to make the batsmen dance to their tune. Chahal has been particularly impressive with his airspeed while Kuldeep, for a left-arm chinaman, has shown effective control,“ wrote the former Indian captain.

"In my playing days, I don't remember facing one chinaman bowler. I can imagine the plight of the SA batsmen in not being able to read him. A leggie, in my opinion, is always a wicket-taking threat, irrespective of the format.

"And with two wrist spinners operating with consistency, the opponents are looking confused and rattled. Trying to read them off the track is not helping their case either. The duo have to be picked from their hand, in turn, this will lead to better use of the feet."

Srikkanth also explained the reason behind India's success in the shorter formats of the game citing the top four as the team's biggest asset. With a lot of talk surrounding Kohli's continuous changes to the side, Srikkanth hopes that there would be no more changes to the top order for the forseeable future.

"The Indians have found a piece for each jigsaw. The bowling unit is looking fine and so are the batsmen. Rahane's return is the most welcome sign. I just hope the top four is not tampered with. I have always believed a winning combination must remain and I am sure the changes will be made after the series is wrapped. Heartening to see an Indian team dominate overseas. Sincerely hope they don't let go of the intensity and make it count in the matches to come," he concluded.

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