New Delhi: The Indian cricket team, after registering a huge win in the first One Day International against South Africa, went down with mirror opposite results in the second ODI to go 1-1, level in the three-match series.
India, who is yet to register an ODI series win in South Africa, will be hoping the stars work in their favour when they lock horns against the Proteas in the third and final ODI, at the Boland Park Stadium in Paarl.
Landed in Paarl ✅
Ready for the ODI series decider 👍 👍#TeamIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Txllph4tdl
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 21, 2023
Both the teams would want their batsman to up their performance as batting collapse was the main reason behind the loss of both the teams in their respective unsuccessful matches.
Photoshoot Ready 📷
POV: Some behind the scenes footage of the Proteas dawning their Royal Green strips 🇿🇦
Name a better combo? 😉 This is the Perfect Blend. #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/9Lma1b4ptu
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 21, 2023
The match will also be important, given the fact both these teams after the ODI series will face each other in a two matches test series, which will also be part of the WTC 2023-25 cycle, and a series win in the ODI series will result in a huge morale boost for them.
Batsmen on crossroads
Both India and South Africa have produced one exceptional and one disappointing batting performance in the already played two ODI matches so far.
In the first match, South Africa went down hard as they were packed up on a small total of 116, which the Indian batsmen chased down in just 16.4 overs, with eight wickets to spare.
While, in the second match, it was the men in blue who went down hard as they were only able to post a total of 211 on the board, which the South African team chased down with eight wickets and 45 balls to spare.
The ‘50’ moment for Sai Sudarshan,1st player from Tamil Nadu to hit a fifty on ODI debut.Looks like a great prospect in all 3 formats for Indian Cricket. Onwards & Upwards from here ‘SSD’ @sais_1509 @StarSportsTamil #SAvIND @TNCACricket @TNPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/BzTytfA8Le
— Nanee (@Cricket_Nanee) December 18, 2023
Sai Sudharsan from India and Tony de Zorzi from South Africa are the only two players who looked in form in both matches.
All the other players also need to step up if they want to win the match and the series on Thursday.
Bowling in the second innings is a concern
Just like the batting, the bowling of both the teams has gone through a see-saw journey in the series.
In the first match, it was the Indian bowlers who dictated the match, while in the second match, it was the South African bowlers.
Maiden 5-Wicket Triumph in International Cricket! 🎉
Saluting the Phenomenal Performance of #ArshdeepSingh! 🏏#TeamIndia | #SAvIND: A Moment of Cricketing Excellence! @arshdeepsinghh pic.twitter.com/NvM8Lgpg9U
— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) December 17, 2023
However, they both performed great only while bowling in the first innings, as while bowling in the second innings, they looked as clueless as one can be.
Fast bowlers of both teams have taken all the glory so far, and in order to ensure a clean victory in the second match, the spinners need to step up as they are usually the ones who control the middle phase of the game.
