SA vs IND 2018: Return of AB de Villiers a major Boost for South Africa - Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels the inclusion of AB de Villiers will work as a major boost for the host.

However, it had a direct impact on the rain-hit fourth ODI. The Proteas defeated India by five wickets to keep the series alive.

De Villiers missed the first three games with a finger injury. As a result, South Africa lost all of them. However, he returned in the fourth ODI to bring his team to winning ways.

de Villiers’ return a boost:

Ganguly feels de Villiers’ return was a huge psychological boost. Also, he feels South Africa did right by leaving out a spinner.

“The return of AB de Villiers was also a positive psychological advantage for the Proteas. He may not have got many runs on the board on his immediate return, but it was a huge plus to their middle order. The South Africans also probably did the right thing by leaving the spinner out and playing an all-pace attack,” Ganguly wrote in TOI.

India has nothing to worry:

Further, Ganguly feels India has nothing to worry about the loss. India is 3-1 up in the series with two matches still to play. The fifth ODI is today in Port Elizabeth.

“Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have continued their dominance with the bat and are really playing very well. The good thing when they bat is that the run-rate remains healthy. If either of them – more so Kohli – are dismissed early, then the others will have to take the innings forward. This didn’t happen in the last 15 overs at the Wanderers,” Ganguly wrote.

Ganguly on Indian spinners:

The southpaw further feels it was a rare off day for the spinners. However, they may be interested in the shots South African batsmen played.

“The Indian spinners may have had an off day, but the shot selections of Miller, Klaasen, Markram, and Phehlukwayo will keep them interested for the remainder of the series. Port Elizabeth is not known for being a high scoring ground, and it will be a very important game for South Africa,” Ganguly concluded.

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