Himanshu Shekhar with Vaibhav Arora
VVS Laxman says Graeme Smith`s men have a big challenge ahead of them on their tour to India. The Proteas are riding high after toppling Australia from the top in the ICC ODI rankings and coach Mickey Arthur is confident that they have the power to overcome the Indian hurdle.
"Of course, we are happy that we are now number one in the world because that was the aim we had set for ourselves," Arthur said after their return from Bangladesh.
By winning the limited-overs series 3-0, the South Africans replaced Australia as the world`s top one-day side.
"If we are still at the top in a year`s time, we really will have reason to smile," Arthur added.
"We play Australia at home and away next season and we will have to beat them to stay at the top. Just as we aimed to become the best, we now have to aim to stay the best."
But to do that South Africa will have to beat India, who are brimming with confidence after beating Australia in the Perth Test and then going on to win the Commonwealth Bank Series.
Taking a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of both the teams gives a clear idea of what one can expect.
Dark Horse
Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini are names which come to mind when you combine the words cricket and South Africa. But, take a closer look at who were the real performers in the past couple of months and the stand out names are Dale Steyn and Neil Mckenzie. Steyn lacks those fearsome looks of Curtley Ambrose or Merve Hughes, neither he has the speed to match Brett Lee or deadly yorkers like Wasim Akram but his effectiveness can’t be discounted. Bowlers who have been successful on Indian tracks never had that speed as they relied more on using the crease and effectively bowling the slower ones.
Neil McKenzie has compact technique and plays with the straightest bat in the African camp. His technique and temperament will be more than handy against the likes of Anil Kumble & Co on turning Indian wickets.
Ishant Sharma was India’s surprise find of the series Down Under but unfortunately won’t be in the team (at least for the first Test)courtesy a foot injury. RP Singh comes back after a lay off and hence the Indian bowling seems to be lacking that edge, especially on the pace front. The onus squarely will be on Kumble’s spinners to take wickets by the heap and hence a steep task is cut out.
Worrying Factor
Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sehwag and Ganguly are names who can effectively counter any attack in the world, leave alone South Africa. Proteas` biggest worry undoubtedly will be this star batting line up.
Cap to it the timing of the series (which will be played mostly in first half of April), with temperatures soaring above 40 Degrees Celsius, it’s how the Proteas cope up will be important. Moreover, their bowling attack minus Shaun Pollock might feel handicapped in absence of a genuine spinner.
Battle among equals
It is fascinating to watch the series as the outcome will eventually decide who is the real successor to the crown which seems to be slipping away from the Kangaroos at the moment. Will Kumble prove to be the right contender or will Smith turn out to be the actual hero; we can only wait.
