ODI Champs to face S.Africa

Indian team on a South African safari to play 3 ODIs and 2 Test matches. Three ODIs series is to start from Thursday 5^th December. The tour got shortened due to BCCI`s stand against Harron Lorgat CEO-Cricket South Africa. Nevertheless BCCI encashed the opportunity by fitting in West Indies, as Sachin Tendulkar farewell series, at home. So it`s emerging young Indian currently dominating batting guns of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli against experienced dangerous Steyn, Morkel and Jacque Kallis. Fairly experienced Suresh Raina is very much a susceptible member when it comes to facing a short pitched fast bowling .M S Dhoni is happy to start tour with ODIS, as this would allow inexperienced test matches batting line up, to get used to South African conditions. Also with Zaheer Khan sent in early as a bowling coach, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav would try to settle down before two tests. Team India batsmen would be severely tested on bouncy and livelier South African pitches, against very penetrative bowling attack. Similarly inexperienced Indian pace bowlers would get a better idea of required line n length to bowl on these bowler friendly pitches. With Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers backed up by veteran Jacque Kallis hosts have got a very good experienced, proven batting line up. And now they are looking for the opportunity to salvage pride due to 1-2 loss in just concluded series against Pakistan. On the other hand Indians are very much eager to prove that they are tigers not only at home, but can demonstrate their skills on foreign soil also.

M S Dhoni

AB de Villiers

The Bullring-Wanderer`s Cricket Ground, Johannesburg.

The venue for first ODI is Wanderer`s Cricket Ground, Johannesburg, very well known as the Bullring. The multistoried stands construction is known to give nervous time for the players playing for the first time, with its intimidating atmosphere. South Africans fans are not happy due to curtailed tour and so Team India is likely to face some kind of irk, from the home crowd. Indian Captain tried to lighten the atmosphere in his press conference  when asked   `` What would you do if someone threw something onto the field? `` By replying, ``  Well, we will pick up and give it back. That`s what we can do. `` Then adding that Indian team has been provided a big security guy to handle such situations. On the outset Dhoni is maintaining a very confident face, in spite of absence of any practice game, like the earlier days. Let’s hope an exciting contest to start with first ODI, at 17.00 hrs Indian Standard Time.

ODI, Schedule:

·         December 5 - 1st ODI, Johannesburg, 17:00 IST.

·         December 8 - 2nd ODI, Durban, 13:30 IST.

·         December 11 - 3rd ODI, Centurion, 17:00 IST.

-      -  for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.