Day 4: 365 Day Blog Challenge: India Vs South Africa

The Caravan moves on. The mind continues to work overtime and meanders along. Finally it decides on a topic. I have decided to move a little away from Vijaya's Cricketing ways just to align myself to the rest of my thoughts, la a small commercial break before the show goes on. Saying that I will not move away from Cricket because that is what is my passion, my first love.

The day is just a little more than 24 hours away, when the India-South Africa Freedom series gets underway. In my mind the Indian Playing eleven is quite clear: Shikar, Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rohit, Saha, Ashwin, Hardik, Bhuvi, Shami, Bhumra. There is no chance of Kohli playing an extra batsman instead of a bowler especially in the series opener. Considering that there will be extra bounce in Cape Town, it has to be a lone spinner in the form of Ashwin, given that Jadeja is unwell.

Kohli will do India a big favour by winning the toss. Any team that chooses to win the toss will opt to bowl first, given the bouncy nature of the track. Much will depend on the first hour of play, where I expect the ball to do a lot of talking with the movement in the air and the bounce on offer. Now some of data on the matches that have been played in Cape Town-South Africa so far, clearly indicating that winners who have emerged at this venue are those that have batted second.

Toss will have a huge factor to play as far as the Test Match is concerned. Having said that India will go into the match as World Number One in Test Matches. They will not lose their seeding even if they were to lose this series badly to South Africa. They will also go in with a lot of confidence, having put it across West Indies, Australia, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka, all of which have come at home barring West Indies and Sri Lanka. 

India have ticked all the boxes, have put in matches at home, the only area of concern being the alien conditions outside of the sub continent. I am not too sure about the performance of Shikar Dhawan coming off an ankle injury. I would consider K L Rahul to be a much safer bet than Shikar. As per me Shikar is too flashy and it will not be long before South Africa sorts him out. Please note that the pace that Morne Morkel, Philander, Rabada and of course Steyn generate will make the ball to do a lot of talking. Chin music will be in vogue. India will do well to watch the ball till the very last moment and play the ball basis merit. It will be back to the basics for most of the time, leaving the ball outside the off stump, ducking under the bouncers. Patience will be a big virtue. Playing the ball with soft hands will hold them in good stead. 

 The confidence levels of Rahane have been low but he will take cheer from the fact that he is one player who has done well overseas. I have kept him out of the playing eleven. Murali Vijay has traditionally done well in places like Australia on bouncy tracks. He knows where his off stump is and leaving the ball outside the off stump for hours together is a skill that he has developed over time.There is no doubting the class and temperament of Pujara.He has had county experience few months back. He will be banking on that experience to come good in South Africa. Virat Kohli is coming off his marriage, in a positive frame of mind, will come out very aggressive both on his batting and captaincy front. I am sure that he has worked out that weakness of his at the start of his innings against the ball outside the off stump. Rohit has richly deserved his place in the test team, should have come earlier, but better late than never. It remains to be seen how he copes against the South African quicks. Saha will take the gloves behind the stumps but needs to show his worth as a wicketkeeper batsman with Parthiv breathing down his neck.

Ashwin and Hardik will be genuine all rounders. I am backing Ashwin to the hilt, because he has added so much to his bowling in the last few months. A genuine offie can breathe fire now as a leggie as well. Those long fingers of his will definitely come to play. His height will aid him to cope with the pace and bounce when it comes to batting. Hardik brings in value as a genuine allrounder. A lot has been written about him that he is India's next big all rounder after Kapil Dev, remains to be seen as to how he bats. This tour will be first big real test outside of the country.Bhuvi is not express fast but is very deceptive when it comes to movement in the air and off the pitch. I would not want him to bend his back too much but stick to his line and length. Bhuvi does well in short spells of four or five overs, plus he is no bunny with the bat. Shami can generate pace big time. If he gets his rhythm right, he can be quite lethal. Pace and Bounce in South Africa will be to his liking. The ability to reverse swing the ball is yet another weapon in his possession. The subtle variations of Bumrah will definitely come to play. He has a very good bouncer, a destructive yorker and a very well disguised slower one.  Umesh Yadav will have to sit out since his form has been patchy of late.

From the point of view of South Africa, I would love to see the batting prowess of Quinton-De-Cock and of course the entertaining ways of ABD. Rabada and Philander will be a big threat with Morkel and Steyn. I am more interested in seeing the much talked about spinner Maharaj in action. Overall this promises to be a very exciting series. Come tomorrow, same time, it will be game on. Come on India!!!!!!