India will be keen to not allow South Africa any more inroads and seal the ODI series when they take on the hosts at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. The visitors failed to continue with their winning momentum after surrendering the impetus to the Proteas, who come out on top in a rain-curtailed game in the 4th ODI at Johannesburg.
With leading the six-match series 3-1, Virat Kohli’s side is just a win away from winning trophy; their first ever bilateral win in South Africa. And that’s the mission in their hands against a Proteas side that will come out all guns blazing after tasting success in the previous match.
WATCH: Glimpse of India’s practice session ahead of the 5th ODI
Some left arm spin from @akshar2026 and slow leggies from @msdhoni. It's all happening at the spinner's nets #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/syf23R6dSE
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2018
India’s ODI Series in South Africa
- 1992-93: Lost 2-5
- 2006-07: Lost 0-4
- 2010-11: Lost 2-3
- 2013-14: Lost 0-2
- 2018: Leading series 3-1
For India skipper Kohli, with 393 runs in the ODI series so far, has led from the front and has been in ominous form. Alongside him, southpaw Shikhar Dhawan has looked in fine nick as well throughout the series and will be the key to give India a dominant total on board in the fifth ODI. Dhawan smashed a superb ton in the last match but it went in vain.
The Proteas on the other hand counter attacked India’s wrist spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the rain-affected game and came out on top. Prior to that they were bamboozled by the duo and had no answers in store to their prolific play.
STAT ATTACK:
- India have won 27 out of the last 36 bilateral matches.
- Kohli has amassed 393 runs in four matches hitting two centuries
- India’s wrist spinners have taken 24 wickets
Team selection and news:
India
Kedar Jadhav missed out on the last game due to a hamstring injury and is a doubt once more for the Port Elizabeth tie. His replacement Shreyas Iyer is likely to get another outing. The talented batsman scored a brisk 18 runs in the previous game and will hope to do better this time.
Ajinkya Rahane has struggled after his innings of 79 in the first ODI and the likes of Hardik Pandya and opener Rohit Sharma too has struggled. India might be tempted to play Manish Pandey in this tie in place of Rohit and promote Rahane up the order.
Rain affected India’s advancements at Johannesburg and the bowlers leaked runs aplenty. Besides that the bowling needs a special mention and was the principle factor behind the three staggering victories in the series. Chahal and Kuldeep will be keen to continue their good work after an off day. The duo have been brilliant with 24 wickets to their name.
MS Dhoni showed his prowess with a well fought unbeaten 42 runs and a lot of hopes will be on him to continue the good work and play the finishing role well.
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South Africa
AB de Villiers had a promising return to light up the Proteas spirits in the 4th ODI and scored a quick fire 26 runs. Once again the onus will be on AB in this tie as he brings so much into the game with the experience and versatility under his belt. Alongside him the trio of seasoned campaigners Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and David Miller will hold key once again in getting the runs flowing.
Miller was superb at St Georges Park and was instrumental for the victory alongside wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen. The latter will hope to build from that and bring solidity in that middle order. Proteas may go in with similar side but bring in a spinner in the form of Imran Tahir.
Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have bowled well and the unit knows that getting Kohli or Shikhar early on can put the Indians in trouble.
Pitch and conditions
St. George’s Park has a history of aiding spinners and in the last two ODIs played here, South African spinners had a good time. India have not got past 200 runs in this venue till date, but Tuesday brings an altogether different picture. Meanwhile, rainfall has been predicted and there could be a few start and stops during the game.
India; Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaya Zondo.
Match starts at: 4.30 pm IST.