India vs South Africa: Top five player battles to watch out

Familiar conditions will definitely be an advantage for India, but this time they are facing a much fiery opponent. The side who is a better traveller than any other cricketing nation and a side which has done well in sub-continent conditions the past.

 

After a humiliating series loss against Bangladesh, Team India is looking for some fresh air to breath in. The most anticipated bilateral series between India and South Africa is going to happen, the Gandhi-Mandela(freedom series)is going to be an eye candy for all the cricket lovers.
Familiar conditions will definitely be an advantage for India, but this time they are facing a much fiery opponent. The side who is a better traveller than any other cricketing nation and a side which has done well in sub-continent conditions the past.
Dhoni's side boast a formidable batting line-up which will face a stern test against the fiery bowling attack of the Proteas. The match will feature crucial battles between the players that will in turn decide the fate of the game.

Shikhar Dhawan vs Morne Morkel

The Delhi southpaw was pivotal in the ousting of experienced Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir from the Indian team.  The recent century against Bangladesh A would have boosted his confidence. Dhawan, who likes to take his time to get going, is most vulnerable early in his innings and the moving ball has been his nemesis over the years now.
This is where Morne Morkel comes into play. The lanky fast bowler can extract more bounce than his bowling partners and his pace will only make it worse for Dhawan. The Proteas will be banking on Morkel to get the early breakthrough to put India under pressure.

Dale Styen vs Virat Kohli

 
India's new Test captain is on a lean patch now. Apart from a century against Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli is struggling to get back to his old form. The Delhi lad is arguably one of the best batsmen in world cricket and the Indian team will be banking on him to perform.
His ability to read the game and pace the innings accordingly, makes him a nightmare for the opposition. This exactly why South Africa will need to get rid of Kohli - a task Dale Steyn is quite capable of pulling off. The South African pace machine has been phenomenal against India and the Proteas will be counting on the 31-year-old bowler to come good in this series.

Ravichandran Ashwin vs AB de Villiers

This is going to be the mouth watering contest. The battle of inform heroes, Ashwin with an outstanding series against Sri Lanka is coming back to rattle the South African batting line up and especially he will be eyeing to get rid of Abd as quick as possible. While, on other hand he 31-year-old South African skipper is currently enjoying the form of his life.
Armed with some of the most innovative cricketing shots, de Villiers is more than capable of tearing the opposition's bowling attack. The fact that he holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs only makes the case stronger. Will Abd fall under Ashwin's spin web? or is it going to be Abd's shower of runs again?

Suresh Raina vs Imran Tahir

The 28-year-old middle-order batsman has been the vital cog in the Indian team over the years. His ability to hit big sixes, his athletic fielding are his strengths. His presence adds the much-needed stability to the Indian middle-order.
South Africa will be wary of Raina's batting capabilities and hence they will be counting on their leg-spinner Imran Tahir to keep the Indian batsman in check. Tahir's ability to pick up wickets at a respectable economy rate has helped him cement his place in the side.The mid-innings battle between these two will be crucial for their respective sides.

Faf du Plessis vs MS Dhoni

South Africa's T20 captain has already said his inside knowledge about CSK will help him in this series against India and also said it will be valuable for them to prepare for 2016 T20 World Cup. MS Dhoni is fit and ready to don the Indian jersey, his vast experience will be very important against du Plessis.
Dhoni is playing this series after a horrible Bangladesh tour. A man who is known to shut critics with his performance will once again be ready to roar in his own style. It will be interesting to see how captain cool is going to have his field placements against Faf and also Faf who has seen Dhoni's game plan from a closer distance will be ready to take Msd's tactics.

The familiar pals will definitely be looking to dominate each other to bring smiles to their respective teams.




source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in

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