A context-less, stand-alone three-match One-Day International series between India and South Africa has the feeling of an unwanted sporting...
A context-less, stand-alone three-match One-Day International series between India and South Africa has the feeling of an unwanted sporting event in the current global climate but the two sides are all set to carry on with their professional duties in Dharamsala on Thursday, weather permitting.
While India are back home after a long tour of New Zealand, the teams’ respective forms going into this series could not be more contrasting. Virat Kohli and Co were handed a 3-0 drubbing by New Zealand, while under the leadership of Quinton de Kock, South Africa tasted a 3-0 win over rivals Australia at home.
So, while the series might feel oddly placed in the calendar in terms of cricketing circumstances and otherwise, there is a certain amount of intrigue in seeing how things pan out for both teams.
Return of the all-rounder
For India, Hardik Pandya’s eagerly-awaited international comeback lends a crucial balance to the squad as the hosts aim to put the New Zealand nightmare behind them.
Amid the ever-rising danger of Novel Coronavirus and threat of rain once again playing spoilsport (the T20I between these two sides was washed out at this venue last year), Pandya’s all-round flamboyance adds a must-watch factor to the series opener.
To shine the ball with saliva...Read more
