India eye second ODI series win in SA
With the opening combination disappointing in the first 2 games, India's hopes of a second ODI series triumph in South Africa will revolve around a sturdy start from the openers in the third and final game in Paarl on Thursday.
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Openers in focus
India's lone ODI series win in the Rainbow nation came in 2018, and for an encore they require a robust beginning from Ruturaj Gaikwad and B Sai Sudharsan as a pair.
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Out of form Ruturaj
Sudharsan has been impressive in his two outings, notching up 55 and 62. But Gaikwad could not support him from the other end. The opener fell for 5 and 4 as India's 1st-wicket alliance ended at 23 and four at Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
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SA openers among runs
In contrast, South African openers Tony de Zorzi, who cracked his maiden century, and Reeza Hendricks milked 130 runs to kill the chase in the second game.
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Tilak under pressure
Tilak Varma, who showed early promise, seemed to have tapered off a bit in the last couple of months. The left-hander struggled against Australia and the bad form seems to have followed him to South Africa as well.
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Ruturaj, Tilak need runs
It is important for Gaikwad and Tilak to rediscover their range because India no longer have Shreyas Iyer in the middle-order to shore up the innings.
Image Source: AFP
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Another chance for Samson
The top order batters can draw some solace from the Boland Park pitch, which often tends to lean towards batsmen. It might also help Sanju Samson, who got out for 12 in the last match, get another chance.
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Mukesh needs to step up
In the bowling department, Mukesh Kumar is yet to pick up a wicket and the pacer needs to slip into his striking armour sooner than later.
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Chahal to get a game?
The team management might also think of giving a match to veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, whose tour to SA will end on the morrow. He had shown a streak of good form in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy for Haryana.
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Centurion De Zorzi
From a South African perspective, the performance of De Zorzi might have filled them with the hopes of finding an ideal, long-term replacement for Quinton de Kock.
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Burger key for SA
Fast bowler Nandre Burger too was fiery with the new ball and the Proteas will hope for him to give another hustle round to the Indians.
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