Whole of India, and it's numerous die-hard Cricket followers would stay awake and wish good luck to the national team that would take on mighty South Africa in their own backyard in the most anticipated test series of the season that begins on 18th of this month. They call it ‘entering the Lion’s den’ here. And never has Indians survived the brutal assault of the beast and have always returned gruesomely injured if not killed.
Dhoni and his warriors have already lost battle in the one dayers; dreadfully to be honest and the wounds have puke blood ferociously. The entry of young blokes into the national team, and since being inexperienced, is expected to continue bleeding during the war of test matches. Africans have, and wisely choose, the tallest amongst the tall lethal fast bowlers that can fright the opposition camp even before the battle begins. Although their batting line-up remains circumspect to post huge scores, but they would rely on the fact that Indians have carried a rigid pace bowlers in their camp.
Clearly the strength of Indian team lies in their batting, which in the last decade or so has been the reason behind their overseas success. Dhoni with all his experienced mind and cunning utilisation of resources would like to turn table on the African’s through shrewd yet hostile ways. The equation of ‘Win the toss and bat first’ would come-in handy since their lies the strength of Indians.
Open with Vijay (as he is the only option) alongside Dhawan; Pujara next followed by Rahane and the burden of scoring huge numbers to be carried by the young shoulders of Kohli and Sharma assisted by Dhoni and Ashwin in that order. Zaheer, Ishant and Yadav must accept the responsibility to bowl out the shaky batting line up one which Africa posses.
The encounter between Zaheer-Smith and Steyn-Sharma appear to bring crowds inside the stadiums in the sport savvy country of South Africa, while we would cheer for team India seating far away here in India.
Although it appears tough but I would put my money on India’s win!
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