Reasons behind India's success in the ODI series so far

India being 2-0 ahead in a six-match ODI series in an overseas nation is not a familiar story. For the last 25 years, it has been a struggle for India in South Africa, and they are yet to win an ODI series in the rainbow nation.

Things have changed under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. India dominated both the games and they are 2-0 ahead. It has been a comprehensive performance, and the hosts are yet to make a mark in the series.

The momentum is with India at the moment, and it will take some doing for the hosts to make a come back at Newlands. After losing Quinton de Kock for the remainder of the series, things can't get any worse for them.

Here's a look at why India has been able to dominate this ODI series so far.

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#1 Pitch

The tracks have made a difference for sure. The track in Durban was a batting paradise, with hardly any carry. There was no lateral movement off the air or off the pitch. Batsmen could hit through the line, and once the likes of Rahane and Virat got settled, the hosts had to chase the leather for rest of the innings.

The track in Centurion was a rank turner, spinners took 8 wickets out of the 11 that fell in the entire match. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav turned out to be unplayable. Chahal ended up with a fifer whereas, the latter took three wickets. The hosts were shot out for mere 118 runs, and the faces in the South African dressing room said the story.

South African tracks are fast bouncy tracks with a lot of lateral movement, but this time around things changed. India seemed more at home with the tracks turning and pacers getting hit all around the park.

#2 Injury to key players

Faf du Plessis could only play the first ODI and is out for the rest of the series due to injury

Injury to the big names like AB De Villiers and Faf du Plessis came in as a body blow to the hosts. Both stood like a wall during the Test series and proved to be difficult to dislodge. Their absence has been the biggest set back for the hosts.

De Villiers and Du Plessis are not the easiest of shoes to fill. South Africa definitely missed their resolute defence and counter-attacking abilities. In their absence, the middle order lacked flair and looked vulnerable against top quality spin attack.

#3 Indian top order in good nick

Shikhar Dhawan has been in fine form

The top four Indian batsmen looked in good nick. They took responsibility to take India over the line. This prevented the middle order batsmen, who were not in the Test squad, from being exposed to the likes of Rabada and Morkel.

Virat Kohli has been a treat to watch, getting his first ODI hundred in South Africa. Kohli has hardly put a foot wrong in the series and looked as if he wants to prove a point. Shikhar Dhawan, who was struggling in the Test series, has also struck form in the ODI series.

#4 Collapse of South African middle order

This has been a common sight in the ODI series so far

Experienced players like David Miller and JP Duminy have struggled against spin. The middle order collapsed like a house of cards against the turning ball in the second ODI. David Miller is not looking like an innings building material, playing the ball away from the body.

It looked as if he is not trusting his defence. The hosts probably missed a trick by not sending Miller at No. 7 giving him license to go after the bowling. The newly appointed captain, Aiden Markram hasn't led from the front either.

#5 South African bowling lacking potency

Virat Kohli has been toying with the bowlers

Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan got off to a start each time they went out to bat. The likes of Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada have failed to strike upfront, and the spinners have been milked all around the park in the middle overs.

Rabada didn't have the same fizz in the ODIs as compared to the tests. Morkel and Morris looked rusty, failing to make any sort of impact with the ball. Virat Kohli has also been in impeccable form throughout this tour, thereby adding to the misery of the already misfiring South African bowling attack.