SA vs IND 2018, 5th ODI: 3 Strategies Virat Kohli Might Employ to Win the ODI Series

Team India has been quite brilliant in the ongoing six-match series against the Proteas, so far.

However, a hiccup which was needed happened during the last game, as South Africa won the 4^th match of the series to keep the affair still alive. It was a rain-curtailed encounter which was eventually won by the Proteas due to their change of strategy of attacking the Indian wrist spinners.

They had nothing to lose and the ploy to go after Chahal and Kuldeep paid off. Heinrich Klassen batted superbly while David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo also chipped in with useful contributions.

However, India by far has been the superior team in the series and shouldn’t get bothered too much about the defeat. They are still the firm favourites to win the series. So with the 5^th encounter a day to go, let us have a look at three possible strategies which Virat Kohli might employ in order to seal India’s first ever series victory in the Rainbow Nation

Might start with a spinner

The wrist-spinners have proved to be the difference between the two sides in the series so far. Kuldeep and Chahal have bagged 23 wickets between them in the series, and despite getting hit in the last encounter, the duo continues to be a potential threat to the hosts.

Kohli might think of starting proceedings with either Chahal or Kuldeep much like Dhoni in the past. These wrist spinners have been phenomenal in their short career and should be given new responsibilities to adapt to new challenges.

Should start getting after the bowlers a bit early

In the 4^th ODI, India only managed to score 116 runs in their last 20 overs which is pretty below par given the batting line-up they possess.

Hardik Pandya’s strength has been against the spinners, and the South Africans have studied his game and not allowed him to set free against the spinners.

Dhoni hasn’t been at his best, and despite scoring a 42 in the previous encounter, he couldn’t get it in less than run a ball. If they strategise well, they could surely rectify the mistake in the 5^th encounter.

Kedar Jadhav should return

The pocket-sized dynamo hasn’t been at the best of forms, but given his ability to bowl in the middle-overs he should replace Iyer in the team for the next encounter.

As a bowler, his variations comes from a change of bowling angles. He is much like Malinga in some of his deliveries, and for a batsman who hasn’t played him, it will be difficult to pick him from his over.

On occasions, his deliveries keep a lot low which doesn’t help. He is a terrific batsman. However, he hasn’t been tested enough in the series so far. Given his all-round prowess, he should return.

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