6 South African players to watch out for in the Gandhi Mandela series

6 South African players to watch out for in the Gandhi Mandela series: Now the excitement levels of millions of cricket crazy people are soaring high as we are inching closer to the beginning of the most awaited series of the year, the Gandhi-Mandela series. The South African team fared up brilliantly against the Kiwi’s in the recently concluded ODI series after the T20I series had ended in a tie. But in India they would be tested to the hilt as the tour will also mark their return to the sub-continent where they had tasted defeat in ODIs against Bangladesh, few months ago. The Proteas would like to end their drought as far as winning bilateral ODI series in India is concerned. So, let’s have a look at the 6 South African players to watch out for in the Gandhi Mandela series: 1. AB de Villiers: Ab de Villiers. (© Getty Images) These days there is hardly any batsman in the league of the South African ODI skipper Abraham Benjamin de Villiers. From donning the hat of the batsman who resurrects a struggling innings to the one who dons the role of an aggressor or from captaining his side to fielding like Superman, this man has the audacity to pull off anything spectacular on the field. This year he has already torn apart many bowling line-ups in the colored jersey and has accumulated 835 ODI runs at an exemplary average of 75.91. AB is very comfortable against spin and against India he has aggregated 921 runs in ODIs at an average of 46 with 3 tons to his credit. In T20Is as well he is a force in himself. Also Read – 5 Indian players to watch out for against South Africa 2. Hashim Amla: Hashim Amla (© Getty Images) The Proteas Test skipper Hashim Amla has not only seen smooth transition in ODIs but he is creating records after records each time he steps on to the field. He has done well in T20Is as well. Amla is equipped against spin and has a particular liking for the Indian bowlers against whom he has plundered big runs. Out of 13 ODIs against India, he has crossed the 50 run mark on 7 occasions and his average is in excess of 50 as well. After hunting the Kiwi bowlers in the rainbow nation, Amla will be determined to guide his side to first ODI series win in India. 3. JP Duminy: JP Duminy. (Photo Source: ICC) JP Duminy is a very important player in South Africa’s game plan. Apart from his brilliance with the bat, he is also a very handy off-spinner and he will have a paramount role to play if the visitors stand any chance to win the series. In Indian conditions his value as a player increases fourfold as he can trouble the Indian’s with his spin as well. As far as his batting form is concerned he is averaging 43 this year in ODIs. And it should also be kept in mind that he has all the experience of playing in India, in the IPL as well as on bilateral tours. His athleticism in the field will also help South Africa’s cause. 4. Imran Tahir: Imran Tahir. (Photo Source: Getty Images) As far as South Africa’s bowling is concerned, Tahir seems to be the biggest weapon of the visitors. The leggie has been in the form of his life and has been able to scare the hell out of batsmen on Australian and South African pitches. Tahir will be playing in India which is traditionally known for spinning surfaces which makes him even more shivering prospect for hosts. He has the knack of grabbing crucial scalps and is a partnership breaker. This year he has played 17 ODIs and has taken 30 wickets at a miserly economy of 4.41. Even in T20Is, he is hard to score off with his deceptive variations. 5. Chris Morris: Chris Morris. (© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) The South African lanky pacer, Chris Morris is the breath of fresh air as far as Africa’s pace battery is concerned. Morris bowls very fast and with his spot-on accuracy he can trouble the Indian’s to the hilt. This series presents a good opportunity for him to cement his place in the side. Chris also possesses the invaluable experience of playing in Indian conditions and against Indian players in the IPL which will also help his cause in the limited overs series. 6. Quinton de Kock: Quinton de Kock. (Photo Source: BCCI) Quinton de Kock just loves to tear apart the Indian bowling and its no big secret. After enduring horrifying patch with the bat this year, he was dropped from the national side. But he was recalled on back of his solid performances on South Africa A tour of India A. And his record against India speaks much more than words can say. De Kock has played 4 ODIs against the Men in Blue and has scored 3 centuries. He has accumulated 349 runs against them and holds a whopping average of 87.25 in ODIs.