Top 5 areas India needs to concentrate on for the ODI series against South Africa

Dhoni and De Villiers will be tested to their limits during the ODI seriesWith the ODI series against South Africa starting on October 11, there are a few details the Indian cricket team will need to concentrate on. After being able to break the World cup jinx against the Proteas, they would want to utilise the conditions the home turfs are going to offer them with.With the best of the teams finding it tough against the South Africans even on their own soil, the following would be some key points they would have to work on, if India are to come out on top against the visitors.

#5 Fast bowlers need to take up the responsibility

India needs Bhuvneshwar Kumar to swing back into form quickly

With the Indian spinners all set to utilize their opportunity to dominate the series, the faster bowlers have to take up the responsibility of complementing them sufficiently and making adequate use of the shiny new Kookaburra ball.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs to swing back to form as he is one of those bowlers who would provide the captain with assured wickets early on in the innings. His ability to trouble the left-handers with ease is a welcome armor in Dhoni’s attack.

Mohit Sharma has to be sharp in the death overs especially with the likes of De Villiers and Duminy both capable of clearing the ground and causing major havoc during this phase. With the Haryana lad chosen especially for his death over prowess, he will have to deliver the goods.

Umesh Yadav who had impressive outings in the World Cup and recently concluded Sri Lankan tour has to be fast and quick, intimidating the South African line-up, giving them a taste of their own medicine. He would also have to be economical towards the end and not undo the work done by the spinners in the middle phase.

#4 \'Dhoni Dhamaka\' has to return

Dhoni needs to up the ante as returns to competitive cricket after a break

Dhoni, who retired from the Test squad with the idea of extending his career in the limited-overs format, needs to regain his old blistering touch to help his team get to mighty totals or chase down huge ones. A good run of form in this series will be a big mood lifter for his fans who are craving to watch him bat after a long break.

His captaincy has been cool and calm under immense pressure winning laurels for his team, but the current Indian squad shows signs of performing better under an aggressive leader. We have adequate evidence of Virat Kohli’s show in Sri Lanka and if Dhoni manages to showcase the perfect mix of controlled aggression, it could do wonders for India.

Dhoni’s performance as a finisher will go a long way in determining which way the series is going to head. His ability to take Steyn on towards the end can put South African skipper AB de Villiers under immense pressure as he will be aware that a few bad overs bowled to Dhoni could cost his team the match in no time.

#3 Start by the Indian openers

The Indian opening combo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Against big opponents, the easiest way to release the pressure is to start well. India’s ambition of posting big totals would majorly depend on how well their openers are going to negate the new ball and place a solid foundation for their side to be able to launch a counter-attack after the ball loses its shine.

Rohit Sharma is going to be under pressure after all the talk that has been going around on the comments he made recently. He has been a solid performer for his side on home soil in this format and will need to continue his ability to take up time at the start and then launch getting mighty tons against his name.

Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand, will look to be aggressive from the word go. This would be necessary to prevent the likes of Dale Steyn from settling into a rhythm early in the innings. He will have to be careful with the stock delivery of Steyn which would come into him exposing his weak zone around the off stump.

Ajinkya Rahane might also compete for the opening slot given Dhoni’s intention to play at number 4. His presence in the team list is vital as he can fit into any position in the batting order providing flexibility to the side.

#2 Virat Kohli has to get back to his best

None of Kohli’s 22 ODI centuries have come against South Africa

Virat Kohli has been India’s batting mainstay for quite a few years now but needs to desperately get back to his ton making mode sooner rather than later. The South African side would understandably love to see him walk back to the pavilion without causing much damage.

Every time the RCB captain scores big, his side ends up on the winning side on most occasions. His conversion rate of fifties into hundreds has been spectacular over the past and he would know that the sooner he rediscovers his supreme scoring ways the easier it would be to see his team past the winning line.

The fact that he has never scored an ODI century against South Africa would only fire his desire to get his 23^rd ODI century.

#1 Fielding effort

The run out of AB de Villiers during the 2015 World Cup match between India and South Africa

The modern Indian fielders have redefined what the Men in Blue can show in terms of quality fielding and catching. The manner in which Mohit Sharma ran out AB de Villiers during the 2015 World Cup encounter between the same sides can never be forgotten.

The likes of Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma have the ability to match the Proteas in terms of their ability on the field. They have to make sure they are pumped throughout the innings and stop everything that comes their way. More importantly the close chances have to be pounced upon if they have to edge out closely contested matches.