The second ODI between India and South Africa in Indore on Wednesday might just turn out to be the most important game for the hosts in the series. For, it is bound to answer a number of questions floating around since India's five-run defeat in the first ODI a couple of days ago.
Will Indian captain MS Dhoni, a finisher who seems finished, continue to bat at No. 5? Or will he walk in at No. 4, something he has publicly expressed his desire to do? If it's the latter, where does that leave Ajinkya Rahane in the batting order? Will Virat Kohli go back to his No. 3 position, which he has rightly made his own?
The sub-plots are many, and it will only add spice to the already entertaining contest between these two sides. India were supposed to dominate at home, but two T20Is and an ODI later, it is the visitors who look favourites.
With the heat well and truly on Dhoni, the batsman and captain, another failure with the bat and another loss will only make the noises against him grow louder. But he can find solace in the fact that Rohit Sharma, who has already scored two hundreds in three games against the Proteas, looks unstoppable. And if he manages to turn it on again on an Indore pitch that is known for producing runs, India can look to get a big total under their belt.
There are plenty of worries, though. R Ashwin's absence has robbed Dhoni of his only wicket-taking bowler, and that will make his job as captain only tougher. Harbhajan Singh is expected to take his place, but he is not quite in the same league as Ashwin at the moment.
Shikhar Dhawan's form is another worry. He hasn't scored in a while. So has Virat Kohli, who will surely hope to get a big one under his belt sooner rather than later. And last but not the least, India's death bowling needs to improve by leaps and bounds if the hosts are to have any chance of restricting the likes of AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien in the final 10-15 overs.
As for the South Africans, it has been a dream series for them so far, and they'd love for that to continue. Their batsmen are in form, and either one of their bowlers has stood up when it matters. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were fairly quiet in Kanpur, and if they decide to put their hands up in Indore, the worries for Dhoni might just manifold.
Some Statistics
3
No. of games India have played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, with the hosts winning all three
418
The highest total on this ground, which India notched up against the West Indies in 2011
289
The most number of runs chased on this ground. India chased England's 288 all out in 2005
DID YOU KNOW?
In the last ODI played in Indore, Virender Sehwag scored a magnificent 219 in India's 153-run victory over the West Indies in 2011
