India target death-overs boost to stay alive

Thursday, October 22, 2015
Start time 1330 local (0800GMT)

There comes a time in every chase when the players are under so much pressure that unless they catch up, the game is over. For India, that time is now.

After trailing South Africa in both limited-overs' formats, India face the prospect of a second successive series defeat unless they draw level in Chennai. To do that, they will need a more convincing batting performance particularly in the death overs, where they have lacked aggression. Simply put, they have to ensure they compete over 50 overs, not just 35, because South Africa have demanded that level of commitment from them.

The tension in the twilight exchanges of the three matches so far has made for absorbing viewing and neutrals will hope there is more to come so that a grand finale is set up for the fifth game. But South Africa won't be advocating excitement of that kind.

They will want to secure their second trophy of the tour before the final match. Not only will that tick the box of dominating an opposition in their own backyard but it will set the tone for the Tests, where South Africa are the authority on traveling, having last lost a series away from home nine years ago. Victory in Chennai will allow the players that aim to continue that legacy, particularly the fast bowlers, a chance to rest and South Africa's bench strength to be tested in Mumbai.

(last five completed games most recent first)
India LWLWW
South Africa WLWWL

With just three runs from the three matches so far - and all of those in the first game - Suresh Raina will be aware that he needs to step up. He has been dismissed for ducks in his last two innings and has not contributed a fifty since the World Cup. With India's middle-order being prone to meltdowns, Raina will have to be in the runs soon to help solve the problem.

Hashim Amla is 22 runs away from being the fastest to 6000 ODI runs but he may be more concerned with the speed with which he hits top gear after a quiet tour so far. Amla has bubbled under with small starts but is struggling to push on and has been uncharacteristically stumped off the spinners in the last two matches. If he can shake the rut, South Africa's line-up will be in full flow again.

India altered their squad as the series heads into its decisive stage and added S Aravind in place of Umesh Yadav and the left-arm seamer could find himself in the XI. The three-spinner strategy worked well for India and if they stick with it, they may have to leave out another seamer as well.

India: (probable) 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Ajinkya Rahane 4 Virat Kohli, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Amit Mishra, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11 S Aravind

JP Duminy's hand injury, which has ruled him out of the rest of the series, presents South Africa with a puzzle in the allrounder's department. Dean Elgar, Duminy's replacement, only arrived early on Wednesday morning and may need time to acclimatise, which could allow Chris Morris his first chance in the ODI series. David Miller may have to return to the middle order as a result, unless Khaya Zondo is given a debut ahead of him. With all the tinkering in the batting department, South Africa are unlikely to fiddle with their bowling combinations unless Morne Morkel, who picked up a quad injury in the third ODI, is unfit. Kyle Abbott is in reserve if needed.

South Africa: (probable) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 Farhaan Behardien, 6 David Miller, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Dale Steyn, 9 Morne Morkel/Kyle Abbott, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran Tahir

Dale Steyn said he expected a slow wicket that may take turn but there are rumours of some extra bounce, which will be a welcome surprise for the visitors. Chennai will warm up to 34 degrees, a couple cooler than Rajkot and Kanpur, but humidity will be a factor. This match will be officiated by two local umpires because Aleem Dar was withdrawn over security concerns following the anti-Pakistan protest at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. Umpires Chettithody Shamsuddin and S Ravi, who is from Chennai, will stand.

Stats and Trivia

"We want to take wickets as a spinning unit and whoever is bowling at any point of time, we want to attack, we want to have a lot of catching fielders in place. "
Harbhajan Singh has promised no let up in India's spin threat

"We've been to a lot of different cities since arriving and it's arrive, play, practice, go - that kind of thing. It's on the go all the time. The boys have needed the rest."
South Africa took a break from practice before the fourth ODI and Dale Steyn said it was welcome down time