5 Ways in which India can take the ODI series into the decider

5 Ways in which India can take the ODI series into the decider: Are we seeing an ODI series or a Bollywood thriller? Hard to make out after what has transpired through the first three games. India and South Africa have looked like loosing before the opposition saying, ‘I gift you the victory’. Nobody thought, that the Indians who make mockery of world-class bowling attacks on their home turf and chase totals like 350 without much fuss, would fall well short of 270.

But that’s not the real worry. What is concerning is the fact that India are failing to deliver the killer punch. If anybody told you the hosts would lose when Kohli and Dhoni were there at the crease in Rajkot, or when Rohit was going all guns blazing in Kanpur, you would at best declare him an irrational cricket follower. But cricket is a funny game and the fun will soon transform into agony if the men in blue fail to stage a comeback.

Here is how they can make a comeback.

1. Change the opening combination:

Shikhar Dhawan is looking woefully out of sorts. Neither he is finding the middle of the bat nor is he able to fluently rotate the strike. With the Test series approaching it might not be a bad idea to give him a short break and help him come back afresh. This will also ensure Ajinkya Rahane, can play at his favourite opening position and lay a solid foundation along with Rohit Sharma. That way Virat can bat at number 3 where he has won India innumerable games. India will not be helped by keeping Rahane down and having Dhoni at 4. While it is alright for MS to face maximum balls, ‘Jinx’ can make a match changing impact at the top.

2. Put Raina up the order:

Suresh Raina’s form has been a cause of considerable concern now. Even when he has been required to play those quick 30s he has miserably failed. But there in might lie the remedy. Raina has always said that despite being an aggressive stroke maker, he loves to build an innings and explode towards the end. He is not being allowed that chance now.

Perhaps it would be prudent to have him at four and let him free. He might regain his touch after he plays a few balls and we all know how menacing he can be once he gets on a roll. MS Dhoni should bat 5 which will lend not only depth but invaluable experience in crunch situations. Until the time India finds another hard-hitting lower order bat this is the best way forward.

3. The pacers need to perform the support act:

None of the Indian pacers have taken more than 3 wickets in the 3 concluded games. That tells you the story of their plight. While Morne Morkel delivered a match winning performance, in the last game taking 4 wickets, India have had none of that kind. Mohit Sharma and Bhuvi have leaked crucial runs in the beginning and the Proteas have found handling them fun. The pace battery needs to step up and not leave whole of the workload for the tweakers. Look at how a young quick bowler like Rabada made a difference in the series. Even if the Indians do not have that pace they need to stick to the basics, which unfortunately hasn’t been the case thus far.

4. Do not overestimate the ‘wickets in hand theory’:

This is more crucial than you think. Here is why. ODI cricket was being played a certain way when the 4 fielders rule was in operation. But it’s a bit different now that 5 fieldsmen are allowed outside the circle in the last 10 overs. This means the importance of wickets in hand can sometimes go overboard.

Scoring 100 in the last 10 overs with short boundaries and flat pitches might have been a cakewalk with the older rule but not now. Dhoni and Kohli let the run rate creep too high in the last game and when the South Africans barraged them with a flurry of bouncers they had nowhere to go. Thus it is imperative for India to keep pace with the required rate and not bank on rest of the batters to just go hammer and tongs.

5. Capitalize on South Africa’s 5^th bowler:

Now that JP Duminy is ruled out of the series South Africa will need serious adjustments in team combinations. They might bring in Aaron Phangiso to partner Tahir and bank on Steyn to bat at 7. The other option is to add another pace bowling all-rounder in Morris who can tonk the ball coming in late.

Either way the hosts need to cash in on the 5^th bowler big time. Rabada and Morkel are on a high and it won’t be wise to attack either while Tahir might just bundle India very soon if not dealt with caution. Quite naturally none of Morris and Phangiso have substantial experience and makes them appropriate targets. This strategy will force AB de Villiers to bring in his lead bowlers at junctures where he might not have intended to.