India v South Africa 2nd ODI preview: India eager to bounce back

India v South Africa 2nd ODI preview: India eager to bounce back: Not very often we come across a scenario where an opener’s sublime 150, a solid stand of 149 and 17 extra’s goes in vain. India were in the brink of tasting victory at green park, but a 20-year-old took the 22 yards by storm in the final over. India will blame themselves for a notorious finish, while South Africa will keep the winning momentum.

The 2^nd ODI will act as a make or break game for India, whereas for Proteas, one more win will take them closer to a historic double. MS Dhoni has some serious thinking to do in terms of his own form and the death bowling, while, for AB, it is totally the other way. South Africa will look to ride on AB’s form and will hope for a similar performance by their bowlers.

A lot is at stake, let’s have a look at how the teams fare, going into the 2nd ODI.

India:

The hosts are having their back to the wall, and skipper Dhoni will want to register the first win of the series. Injury woes are not helping their matters either, as Ashwin will be a doubtful starter for the second game. Apart from the injury, death over’s bowling is a major concern for MSD, as India leaked hundred plus runs in the last 10 overs. The middle order as usual plays a guessing game, as to whether Raina should come ahead of Dhoni, or should they have Rahane lower down in the order.

India will need to clear the junk and come out with a sorted mind. With Rohit Sharma in form, the rest of the batting will revolve around him. The art of finishing is an “Achilles” heel for the hosts and it’s high time that the likes of Raina and Binny steps up with the bat. MS Dhoni will have to fight, as the skipper will look to get the midas touch back. Amit Mishra will be a vital cog in the bowling line up for India while the pacer’s will need to chart out a plan against the in-form South African batting line up. India have been in similar situation in the past, and Dhoni’s men will look to bounce back and level the series.

South Africa:

With the top order in form, South Africa will look to keep things simple and play out their natural game. In the bowling facet, Imran Tahir will once again play a vital role while the recent thrilling win will boost Rabada’s confidence. Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, and Duminy will take the onus while Faf du Plessis will look to bank on his previous knock.

South Africa must play Mishra with patience, as the visitors will want to avoid getting under a shackle. The Indian pace bowling doesn’t seem to be a threat for the visitors, as the likes of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis will look to milk the attack in the middle overs.

With South Africa one up in the series, AB and his boys would look to clinch the 2nd ODI and restrict India from bouncing back.

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Pitch:

India have fond memories of Indore, as Sehwag blasted a hapless West Indies to record his first double ton in ODI. The pitch will favour the batsmen, while spinners can purchase some turn from the wicket. The wicket will stay the same for the entire course of the match.

Probable XI:

India: MS Dhoni (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Ashwin/Harbhajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Amit Mishra.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (C), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhan Behardien, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, K.Rabada.