5 factors India needs to beat South Africa in 2018

The upcoming series between India and South Africa is the biggest overseas tour for India in the last few years. Whilst India has been nothing less than dominate over the last two years, most of India's victories have been at home or against below standard competition away.

India is ranked number one in the world, but the ranking is a little deceptive, as India have not toured teams such as Australia, England, New Zealand or South Africa recently - until now. Here are 5 critical success factors which may be the difference maker if India are to beat South Africa.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has to lead the bowling unit

Kumar has been through an emergence over the last few years. He is no longer the medium pace swing bowler who doesn't have anything to offer if the ball is not swinging. He is faster, more accurate and vastly more experienced. He has come into his own under the leadership of Virat Kohli and is trusted to make crucial breakthroughs when required.

It is hard to forget the incredible tour Kumar had in 2014 against England where he was India’s best bowler (and a crucial lower order batsman). This is Kumar’s best chance to lead an attack and if he is successful India will be in a great position take the series.

Pujara and Rahane to play key roles

Ajinkya Rahane will be important to steer India's lower order

Rahane averages an impressive 53 away from India. Pujara averaged an incredible 67 in 2017. However despite their impressive records both players will have something to prove. In contrast, those averages, Pujara averages 38.52 away from India (29 not including tests against West Indies or Sri Lanka).

Rahane, despite having some important contributions in 2017 averaged 34. Virat Kohli will always be considered the head of the snake in India’s batting lineup, but if India are to beat South Africa they will need key runs from both Rahane and Pujara in the middle order to give them the best chance to win.

The role of the spinner

Spinners will still play a crucial role in South Africa for India

India's key spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have had a sensational last couple of years. Both have topped the bowling charts and have held the top position at in the ICC test bowling ranks.

They have led India to numerous series wins and are largely responsible for India's success. In addition, they have also played crucial roles with the bat to help solidify India's lower order.

However, with recent issues and the role of these bowlers will be different where they should not be expected to have the same kind of results away from home. Whoever plays between Ashwin and Jadeja, their role will be more to support the seamers and help to take some crucial wickets (especially against the lower order). If either spinner is able to make an impact by taking some crucial wickets in the test series, it will go a long way in securing a test series win for India.

India's slip fielding

The Indian slip cordon will be crucial to India's success

It is no secret that India has had difficulty in the slips lately. Ever since the retirement of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, India are still searching for their next reliable slip feilders. Players such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan have all been tested in the slips, however the results have been varied.

Kohli, regarded as one of the best fielders in cricket, has also put a few down himself. India find themselves where they really only have one reliable slip fielder in Rahane. India will be hopeful that their catching will lift during the series as second chances against the quality South Africa batsmen could well swing a match and ultimately a series.

Tweak the lineup

Key decisions from Virat Kohli can shape the series

Under Kohli India's identity has been to win. With that India have adopted to play 5 bowlers and rely on their lower order to contribute wherever possible. This has had mixed results, but for the most part has worked well for India.

Ashwin, Jadeja, Saha, Hardik, Kuldeep and even Bhuvi have all shown they can contribute with the bat where required to help India put on a larger total. However this has been in home conditions. Whether they can replicate this overseas is unknown for most of the lower order.

India will need to play the right combination for the conditions in order to beat South Africa. The decision whether to play Rohit Sharma or not, choosing between Ashwin and Jadeja, or making room for Hardik Pandya (or potentially Bumrah) will all be key in the upcoming series.