Virat Kohli feels heat could be a deciding factor at the Wankhede

Kohli, who played a match-winning knock at Chennai, expects the conditions to be even harsher at Mumbai

Virat Kohli feels that the hot weather conditions at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai could have an important bearing on the outcome of the match when India and South Africa go head to head on Sunday to decide the fate of the ODI series which is currently tied at 2-2, Times of India reports.

Kohli played a match-winning knock of 138 in the fourth ODI that was played at Chennai on Thursday that overshadowed an equally brilliant century knock by South African skipper AB de Villiers. The high humidity conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium saw both batsmen struggling with cramps late on in their innings and Kohli is expecting the scenes to be worse at Mumbai.

When questioned as to what he thought would be the most critical factor in the series decider to be played on Sunday, Kohli said: "I can't pinpoint a single factor. Obviously the team that plays well will win, but I think, the heat could have an important bearing on the game. The last couple of games we played were in Rajkot and Chennai, so coming to Mumbai does not make things easier. It may just be hotter. Physical and mental strength will be tested."

Kohli, who had earlier talked about the No 3 spot being his favourite position in the ODI format, talked up the importance of the middle overs in the 50-over format, claiming that matches will be decided during the overs from 20 to 40, especially in the wake of the rule changes post the 2015 World Cup that now allows five fielders to be posted outside the 30-yard circle in the final ten overs.

"To put things in perspective, it has become a little difficult to score in the last 10 overs. This is happening especially in the subcontinent because the ball is getting rough and old, and the wicket is not having too much pace. It's becoming very difficult to hit the ball to the boundary," Kohli said. "I don't think it will be that difficult to negotiate the new rule outside the subcontinent. In fact, it may not be such a bad thing to have five fielders outside the circle, because you might have chances to rotate strike."

Kohli elaborated further on the importance of strike rotation, as was emphasised by veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh following India’s loss at Rajkot in the third ODI.

"To counter this (rule change) we need to do more of running. Keeping dot balls to a minimum has also become very important. That's what I was trying to do in the last match. Relying less on boundaries will also require more discipline on the part of batsmen. In fact, overs number 20-40 have probably become the new 40-50 overs," he explained.