South Africa’s tour of India: SWOT Analysis of Indian team for ODIs and T20s

South Africa’s tour of India: SWOT Analysis of Indian team for ODIs and T20s: The Indian team for the T20s and the first three ODIs for the much awaited home series against South Africa has been selected, and unsurprisingly, the selectors have picked a strong contingent for the six matches. MS Dhoni, who’s captaincy in limited overs cricket was under scrutiny despite reaching the semi-finals of ICC World Cup 2015, has been given a breather and is retained as a captain for the series. Young Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Sreenath Aravind are the players who are making their first appearance in the Indian squad, in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

Despite Dhoni’s record as an ODI captain and home conditions, the limited overs series against South Africa will be far from easy, and we can expect an exciting series from these two teams.

Now looking back at team, here is the SWOT Analysis of the Indian Team:

Strengths:

India’s home record:

India last lost a ODI series against Pakistan, way back in 2012, and that too was a three match ODI series. And India has never lost a ODI series against the South Africans, since they began touring India in 1991-92. So the odds, especially considering the past results, are in the favor of the Indian team. Also, they have never lost a T20 against South Africa in the Indian subcontinent, which gives a favorable confidence to the home team going against South Africa.

Batting Order:

Indians have been a powerhouse for batting talents over the past two decades, and no wonder they have managed to fill up the huge gaping shoes left after the retirement of Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly, with the likes of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as the core members, they will be raring to go against a formidable South African attack capable of ripping apart their opponents.

MS Dhoni:

Just like the calm before a storm, MS has been pretty quiet this entire year. Post a mediocre IPL season, MS Dhoni got a well deserved break from the tiring cricket schedule, and it looks like he has got all the rest his body demanded. And with just 6 months left to go for World T20, Dhoni will be raring to get himself back into the groove against the South Africans.

Strong bowling contingent:

Surprisingly, the board has selected a bowling attack centered around the pacers. Only two genuine spinners make it to the ODI squad, and additionally Harbhajan has been selected for the T20Is. The pace attack features Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma. Mohammad Shami is yet to recover from the injury and irrevocably misses out.

Weakness:  

Amla and AB factor:

Amla was unbeatable the last time around when South Africa toured India, way back in 2010. And that too in spin friendly conditions. And not to forget AB de Villiers, who is an absolute beast in the shorter formats. When you consider the fact that AB spends nearly 2-3 months every year in India, he would not be alien to Indian conditions. And once they get going, coupled with lack of genuine variety in bowling department, it will be a very long day at work for the Indian bowlers.

Pace department:

Mohammad Shami led the Indian bowling attack for the past year or so, and his injury post the World Cup was a crushing blow for the Indian team. While Ishant Sharma admirably did his duties as the leader of the attack in Sri Lanka, the same cannot be said for the ODI team. Considering the pace attack formulated by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma, it will be a real test of capability and nerves against a strong South African batting order.

Opportunities:

All-rounders get the spotlight:

As many as three mainstream all-rounders make it to the main team, and it will be a great platform to cement their places. While Stuart Binny has been in and out of the team, Axar Patel and Gurkeerat Singh will favor themselves to get some opportunities. Gurkeerat has been in great form over the past year, both with bat and ball, and he has a great chance to stop India’s never ending search for all-rounders.

Spin exploitation:

R Ashwin admirably led the spin attack in Sri Lanka, and unlike outside subcontinent, he is literally unstoppable on Indian pitches. Ashwin and Mishra would back themselves to come strong against the South Africans, and if they perform well in limited the overs games, it would give them a psychological advantage over the South African batsmen going into the longer format.

Time for some batsmen to shine:

While the likes of Kohli and Dhawan have been consistently good in the shorter format, the same is not the case with other batsmen. While Rahane has been surprisingly inconsistent in the shorter formats, Rohit Sharma has blown hot and cold. Despite overcoming his weakness against shorter balls, Suresh Raina needs to step up his consistency, and this series provides a great opportunity for these batsmen to come good.

Threats:

Lack of penetration amongst pacers:

India lacks a genuine pacer in the same level as Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson, and it could cost them dearly in pitches which do not support pacers. And with the likes of De Villers and Amla in the ranks, it will be tough for them to dam the South African’s if the pacers do not put up their A game.

Quinton de Kock:

He trashed the Indian bowlers all over the park when India toured South Africa, and scored a record 3 consecutive centuries in a 3 match series. While he is in a wobbly form both with bat and gloves, he can be a real threat at the top of the order. If he gets going, things will look bleak for the Indians.

Inconsistency in batting:

Batting collapses have been more common with the current Indian team, and the semi-final against Australia is one of the examples. The batting order is more vulnerable to collapses nowadays, and the middle order batsmen need to be patient if the top order gets out cheaply. Especially if Dale Steyn is on song, things should be handled carefully.