Five things that will ensure MS Dhoni success against South Africa

Five things that will ensure MS Dhoni success against South Africa: The India vs South Africa match scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the 23rd of February is all set to be a big clash. Both the teams will look to beat the other and this is seen as the real test for India. This is a match which will give MS Dhoni and the Indian team management a true and fair idea of where this particular team stands. No doubt they played like real world champions against Pakistan in their opening match but South Africa is a different team and will possess the biggest challenge to the teams’ championship status. Strategy, Game Plan, Plan B will all need to fall in place if India is to beat the Proteas which has never happened in the past when they have met three times. Here are five things that will ensure MS Dhoni success against South Africa. 1.Bowl first: (Photo Source: Getty Images) Though it is not the strength of the team, it is their batting but sometimes we have to compromise on it looking at the conditions, which at the MCG prompts lot more juice early on. This pitch will have lot more life, bounce and pace in it than what we saw at Adelaide. Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav the two Indian opening bowlers have the pace and ability to use it to their advantage. If they can manage to get rid of the South African top order cheaply there is nothing better they can hope for. Mohit Sharma the other pacer also has the tendency to bend his back and fly the ball in front of your eyes. The three of them will be in a far better position operating in the first innings. Also considering the fact that the Indian bowlers especially the pacers would crumble when put under pressure. South Africa with the names they have in their line-up are good enough to chase anything against even a better bowling attack. So for me bowling first comes in as a better option. 2.Get rid of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers: (Photo Source: AFP) Though there are many other potent threats in the South African batting but Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers the skipper are the two most dangerous players in the squad. The team displayed exactly why they are one of the prime contenders to the title, their top order failed to fire against Zimbabwe but the middle and lower middle order including David Miller, JP Duminy ensured they had 339 on board. But it is very important to give this strong line up a few jitters with early breakthroughs as this is the only chance India will have to put them under pressure, with the bowling that they have. 3.Ravichandran Ashwin: (Photo Source: BCCI) To me the India vs Pakistan match was all in Pak’s favor until Ashwin came into the attack and he not only dammed the run flow which was flooding until then. But he effectively bowled in three maiden overs, this dried up the runs and the consistency he had with his line of attack got him and India the important breakthrough after which the momentum completely shifted into India’s favor. AB de Villiers is the type of batsman who uses the 360 degree angle and the crease superbly well but Ashwin will have a better fought battle as the latter is a street smart bowler himself and judges the movement of the batsman before delivering the ball. He will yet again hold the string of the Indian bowling and will have to be at his best yet again. 4.The batsman: (Photo Source: Associated Press) If India bats first they will have to put up a thoroughly professional display of disciplined batting, waiting for the early phase to pass off and then try and capitalize when the ball is relatively older, similar to what they did against Pakistan. Rohit Sharma will be eager to go in and make it count as he failed to score big against Pakistan; Shikhar’s come back into form and is one of the best news for the Indian team. Virat after his 22nd ODI ton will be even hungrier to have a healthy exchange with Dale Steyn and Co. Suresh Raina also played a commendable knock in the last match. It is time, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja come into the party as the lower middle order will need to finish off the innings well against a competitive side like the South Africa. 5. Captain’s call and his field placements: (Photo Source: AFP ) Dhoni was at his very best in the first game, aggressive and attacking in his approach and all throughout the 45 odd overs that they bowled was searching for wickets. It is the element which will push the bowlers to bowl a positive and effective line, wickets are important and once they start coming the run flow gets managed on its own. The other thing will be field placements, Proteas have a conventional batsman like Amla, a very unconventional, unorthodox and the un-predictable AB de Villiers, Faf du Plesis, David Miller and JP Duminy having the right fielders in at positions where they will have a role in the game is important along with having an imaginative and innovative field set which will force these strikers to rethink on their batting strategy instead.