Once more into the breach, dear friends?
At the onset of yet another Indian World Cup campaign (for anyone doubting where my loyalties lie), there is hope like never before. Sure, there was hope in 2011 as well but this time there is a formidable bowling line-up that doesn't include Sreesanth.
In the other corner is South Africa, a team that is bruised by the conspicuous void left by AB de Villiers, injuries to Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla and Lungi Ngidi and their perennial failures at major tournaments.
On paper, predictions seem easy. But it wouldn't hurt to inject some analysis to spice it up?
Match-Ups & Possible Strategies
Lungi Ngidi vs. Shikhar Dhawan*
Ngidi vs. Dhawan: Target Zone (from a right-handed batsman's perspective)
Delivery type: cross-seam
Target dismissal: caught by keeper, slip or at gully
- Expect Ngidi to target the good-length area on the fifth stump line to Dhawan.
- This would play into Dhawan's natural instinct to dominate all deliveries on the off, but leave him cramped for room.
- Ngidi generates extra bounce which has often troubled Dhawan. (refer similar dismissals with Oshane Thomas)
*This analysis was written before Lungi Ngidi got injured in the match against Bangladesh. I have left it intact as there is a slight chance that it might be implemented by Chris Morris instead, but slightly shorter (back of length & short, instead of length & back of length).
My gut instinct, however, is that in the absence of Ngidi it is Shikhar Dhawan's day to shine.
*cue in thigh slap*
Kagiso Rabada vs. Rohit Sharma
- Rabada to bowl full in-swingers to Rohit to capitalise on his chronic weakness (refer similar dismissals with Mohammad Amir).
- Rohit extremely susceptible if India bats first under a cloud cover, slightly less but still at risk if chasing during the first five overs of the new ball.
Kagiso Rabada vs. Virat Kohli
- Rabada to consistently bowl short to Kohli, with surprise yorkers in between (refer all matches on India's tour of South Africa in 2018).
- Kohli would attempt to dominate. The execution of this plan would be an important moment (as with all things Kohli) in this match
- The execution of this plan would also depend on the timing of Kohli's entry - if India's skipper walks out within the first 5 overs then the initial plan might be to bowl good length at the fourth & fifth stump.
Rabada vs. Kohli: Target Zone
Delivery Type: Short
Target Dismissal: Caught (Deep Fine Leg, Long Leg, Square Leg)
South African batsmen vs. Kuldeep & Chahal
- Unless the batsmen have worked out a clear plan on picking the variations, expect SA to either go very hard or very cautious against the Indian leggies.
- Higher chance of the cautious approach due to the weakness of the SA batting order. In this scenario, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav/Ravindra Jadeja will be the bowlers they will target
- If Chahal is targeted, expect him to bowl extremely wide on a fuller length.
- Should the batsmen be successful in combating the wide tactic, Chahal to continue bowling wide but pull his length back slightly with some pace off for a bigger dip
Chahal's Defensive Mechanism
Delivery Type: Off-spin, full, wide, slow dippers
Target Dismissal: Stumped, Caught at Long Off or Deep Extra Cover, Cover
Note: All of these match-ups have stronger potency if India bats first, as this would pit India's batting against South Africa's bowling under slightly more favourable conditions for bowling. It would also play into SA's history of choking messing up chases, which would be keenly exploited by the Indian spinners under the hawk-like supervision of MS Dhoni.
The South African batsmen would mainly look to target the fifth bowler, the role of which should primarily be filled by Jadhav for this match as I do not expect Hardik Pandya to pose a threat. Expect Jadhav's unique action, delivery trajectory and MSD's advice to play a pivotal role. His threat would be magnified against the left-handed batsmen (QDK, Miller, JP Duminy).
Having said that, Ravindra Jadeja will most likely take Jadhav's spot due to a strong showing in the warm-ups, which I personally feel might be a mistake for this match.
2. Shikhar Dhawan
Should Dhawan manage to curb his instincts initially against Rabada and avoid inside edges into his stumps, the stars are aligned for a Shikhar special in yet another ICC tournament. In the absence of the real stylistic threat in Lungi Ngidi, the only person standing in Dhawan's way tomorrow is his own ego.
3. Quinton de Kock
QDK is the biggest threat to India, as he remains the only player in the line-up who can truly take the game away. If India open with Bhuvaneshwar or Shami to QDK, expect carnage up front. Kuldeep will be the key bowler as he would turn it away from de Kock. Since Kuldeep does not bowl in the power-plays this battle would be delayed - by which point QDK might be off to a good start.
4. Rassie van der Dussen
Prodigious talent that is relatively unheard of has been India's bane for the longest time. (refer: ABD, QDK, Sam Curran, Michael Clarke, Ajantha Mendis, Ashton Turner, Lendl Simmons, Heinrich Klaasen). I would expect the same from the bowling think tank, who would extensively plan for Faf du Plessis, David Miller, the mighty Hash and Quinton de Kock but underestimate the batsmen to follow.
Bonus Mention: MS Dhoni's strategic consultancy during the middle overs while the Indian spinners are in action might be his most important contribution in this match, above his batting or keeping.
Possible Indian XI: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Ravindra Jadeja (hope it's Jadhav though), 8. Kuldeep Yada,. 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
Possible South Africa XI: 1. Quinton de Kock, 2. Hashim Amla, 3. Aiden Markram, 4. Faf du Plessis, 5. David Miller/Rassie van der Dussen, 6. JP Duminy, 7. Chris Morris/Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Dwaine Pretorius, 9. Kagiso Rabada 10. Imran Tahir, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
With a forecasted cloud cover, the toss will be crucial. Both teams would be looking to bowl first to exploit the conditions, however, South Africa has already messed up two chases which would definitely play on their minds.
Should India bowl first, I would predict a comfortable victory for the team in blue. However, if the roles are reversed the match would get much tighter. The key players and strategies discussed above might come into play in determining the victor.
If you found this analysis a bit too comprehensive, never forget this signboard I found outside the dressing room in an old college cricket ground in Cambridgeshire:
Similar articles:
Why I Feel Virat Kohli, And Not Sachin Tendulkar, Is Indian Cricket's Biggest Inspiration: Read More
Why I Stopped Loving Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Read More
India At Rio Olympics 2016: No Country For Non-Cricketers: Read More
Having said that, Ravindra Jadeja will most likely take Jadhav's spot due to a strong showing in the warm-ups, which I personally feel might be a mistake for this match.
2. Shikhar Dhawan
Should Dhawan manage to curb his instincts initially against Rabada and avoid inside edges into his stumps, the stars are aligned for a Shikhar special in yet another ICC tournament. In the absence of the real stylistic threat in Lungi Ngidi, the only person standing in Dhawan's way tomorrow is his own ego.
3. Quinton de Kock
QDK is the biggest threat to India, as he remains the only player in the line-up who can truly take the game away. If India open with Bhuvaneshwar or Shami to QDK, expect carnage up front. Kuldeep will be the key bowler as he would turn it away from de Kock. Since Kuldeep does not bowl in the power-plays this battle would be delayed - by which point QDK might be off to a good start.
4. Rassie van der Dussen
Prodigious talent that is relatively unheard of has been India's bane for the longest time. (refer: ABD, QDK, Sam Curran, Michael Clarke, Ajantha Mendis, Ashton Turner, Lendl Simmons, Heinrich Klaasen). I would expect the same from the bowling think tank, who would extensively plan for Faf du Plessis, David Miller, the mighty Hash and Quinton de Kock but underestimate the batsmen to follow.
Bonus Mention: MS Dhoni's strategic consultancy during the middle overs while the Indian spinners are in action might be his most important contribution in this match, above his batting or keeping.
Summary
Possible Indian XI: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. KL Rahul 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Ravindra Jadeja (hope it's Jadhav though), 8. Kuldeep Yada,. 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
Possible South Africa XI: 1. Quinton de Kock, 2. Hashim Amla, 3. Aiden Markram, 4. Faf du Plessis, 5. David Miller/Rassie van der Dussen, 6. JP Duminy, 7. Chris Morris/Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Dwaine Pretorius, 9. Kagiso Rabada 10. Imran Tahir, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
With a forecasted cloud cover, the toss will be crucial. Both teams would be looking to bowl first to exploit the conditions, however, South Africa has already messed up two chases which would definitely play on their minds.
Should India bowl first, I would predict a comfortable victory for the team in blue. However, if the roles are reversed the match would get much tighter. The key players and strategies discussed above might come into play in determining the victor.
If you found this analysis a bit too comprehensive, never forget this signboard I found outside the dressing room in an old college cricket ground in Cambridgeshire:
* * *
If you liked what you have just read, please do consider spreading the love and sharing this on social media platforms of your choice. Additionally, also consider liking this blog on Facebook, following it on Twitter or following me personally on Twitter. We're all artists in our own way, and this is my art that would truly find expression if more people got a chance to read it.Similar articles:
Why I Feel Virat Kohli, And Not Sachin Tendulkar, Is Indian Cricket's Biggest Inspiration: Read More
Why I Stopped Loving Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Read More
India At Rio Olympics 2016: No Country For Non-Cricketers: Read More
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have read your blog it is very helpful for us. I couldn't find any knowledge on this matter prior to. I would like to thanks for sharing this article here. Watch the latest ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 news at Newsonfloor.
ReplyDeleteNumerous reports and the details have pronounced that the ICC World Cup is the world's fourth biggest and most saw game. Click here
ReplyDeleteWe are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. Virat Kohli
ReplyDeletewell, outsourcing can actually save any company several million dollars because of cheap labor,, https://royalcbd.com/product/cbd-gummies-10mg/
ReplyDeletegta 5 apk
ReplyDeleteand also for an apology for the inconvenience and embarrassment which we have suffered because of the series not being held on schedule," a PFF official was quoted saying.
Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article.India crypto
ReplyDeleteICC has already managed to sell over 1 lakh tickets online. BCCI will soon venture to sell the semi final and final match's tickets of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.matt
ReplyDeleteAbu Dhabi T10 Live Streaming
ReplyDeletePSL Live Streaming
Smartcric Live
With the new cricket season about to start it is difficult deciding on a bat. We have a quick guide to give you basic knowledge on the type of bat you need. ipl 2021 points table
ReplyDeleteWhen you get ready to go shopping for cricket equipment, usually the first thing you're going to buy is the cricket bat. Selecting a bat essentially is a matter of personal preferences and what feels right to you. Regardless of what brand it is, cricket bats are all pretty much the same, therefore don't get buffaloed into feeling like you have to buy one brand because it's better than all the others. ipl points table
ReplyDeleteI found this is an informative and interesting post so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I like your post and all you share with us is up to date and quite informative and also bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job. Sony Six Live
ReplyDeleteYou should oil your new cricket bat using linseed oil before you begin to it knock-in. Firstly lightly sand the surfaces of the cricket bat with a fine grade of sand paper. Then apply 2-3 light coats of oil to all exposed surfaces of the bat, allowing sufficient time for the bat to dry between coats, usually overnight. ipl 2021 points table
ReplyDelete