Dhoni’s Men in Blue in a must-win situation to stay alive in ODI series
Indian captain M.S. Dhoni during a training session at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, eve of the fourth ODI against South Africa. (Photo: E.K. Sanjay)
Chennai: One party is “hopeful” of turning things around, while the other sounds “bullish” in sealing the deal at Chepauk. Ahead of their do-or-die clash against South Africa in the fourth ODI at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, India skipper M.S. Dhoni will look to wield his magic wand to level the series at his adopted home.
Having choked twice, ‘Captain Cool’ has a lot to ponder over pertaining to the batting order. What are the options left for the skipper? Promote Ajinkya Rahane back to No.3 again followed by Virat Kohli. Move Suresh Raina to No. 3 at one of his successful venues. Or should he bench Rahane and fit in Ambati Rayudu at No. 5 as he did during the Bangladesh series in a must-win situation?
India dearly miss a Farhan Behardien-character (35*, 18, 33*) at No. 7. Even as both teams struggled to find the ropes towards the later half, it was Behardien’s knocks that proved to be the difference.
India’s bowling combination is a no brainer. Three spinners – Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Axar Patel – are expected to tweak it big unless MSD decides to play Stuart Binny in place of Axar to bolster the batting. It remains to be seen whether India will give a debut to left-arm pacer Sreenath Aravind, who can be quite handy with his variations.
The exit of injured all-rounder J.P. Duminy poses a few concerns for SA skipper AB de Villiers for the fifth bowler slot. However, there is enough firepower in the Protean pace battery to trouble the Indian batsmen with their back of the length deliveries and incisive cutters.
Dale Steyn mentioned that the strip “won’t be a pacers’ paradise.” But added: “All our pacers bowl in excess of 145kmph. Pace is the main weapon at the end of the day. Bowling back of a length with the extra man out in the last ten overs will make life difficult for batsmen.”
There have been a couple of instances at Chepauk during the last IPL where the wicket looked glossy and a few pacers were rewarded for testing the bounce of the pitch. The one which has been prepared for the match bears the same look and might well aid the SA pacemen.
Morne Morkel, recovering from a sore foot, was seen going through physical examinations on Wednesday. The lanky spearhead will undergo a fitness on Thursday morning. Like India, South Africa too have tinkered with their batting order, but with success.
David Miller might yet again open the innings with the in-form Quinton de Kock to make use of the pace on the ball. Faf du Plessis holds the key in rotating the strike.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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