Litmus test for Dhoni as India face off against SA in ODI series
Limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have to quickly find his winning ways to turn India’s fortunes around going into the five-match ODI series against South Africa. The series commences tomorrow with a day game in Kanpur.
Under pressure following defeats in the ODI series in Bangladesh in June and in theT20 series against the visitors this week, Dhoni’s captaincy as well as his ability as a finisher has come under the scanner.
India were outplayed in the T20 series, with the hosts blown away for their second-lowest T20I total of 92 in the second match in Cuttack. This was after their seven-wicket defeat in the opener in Dharamsala. The final match in Kolkata was washed out.
Dhoni was to give benched players, batsman Ajinkya Rahane, all-rounder Stuart Binny and leg-spinner Amit Mishra chance in the final T20I. However, rains spoiled the trio from getting some crucial match practice. However, fast bowler Umesh Yadav's return will provide the team with some much wanted firepower.
Meanwhile, South Africa are looking to carry forward their winning momentum in a bid to clinch their first ODI series in India.
“We are hoping to win the series. We drew 2-2 way back in 2006. I was part of that series,” South Africa’s ODI skipper AB de Villiers told a news conference.
“We would love to win the series. We have shown the world that we can beat India in India. We have just got to play very good cricket. The T20 series is in the past. It is a whole new story now. India will try to bounce back and hopefully we will stop them,” he added.
The tourists’ pace department has been boosted by Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, who were rested for the T20s.
“It is nice to have both of them back. They bring good energy and experience to the team. Very excited to see them run in to bowl tomorrow. They look in really good form, especially Morne who is going to play his 100th ODI tomorrow.”
The squads:
India: MS Dhoni (captain), R Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh and Amit Mishra.
South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw and Dale Steyn.