5 weaknesses of South Africa that India can exploit

SA is the Number 1 Test sideIndia and South Africa share a similar history in terms of their fight for independence. The Test series, aptly titled the Freedom Series, is the first between the two countries in nearly two years. The 72-day tour, the longest South Africa has toured India, will feature four tests, another first for South Africa in India.The series, which has generated a lot of buzz in the past few weeks, will be a challenging one for the Indian team, which is still under transformation after the departure of their batting bulk, and more recently, MS Dhoni.The fact that South Africa is the number one Test team, and has been unbeaten for nine years away from home, gives them the edge. But India can exploit the following five weaknesses of the visiting team:

#1 Inexperienced Top Order:

SA openers Dean Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl

The South Africans might boast of a star studded middle order, including two of the best batsmen in world cricket at the moment, but the top order looks brittle owing to the inexperience of both the opening batsmen.

After Alviro Petersen quit International cricket earlier this year, the team hasn’t had much opportunity to test the new combination of Dean Elgar and Stiaan Van Zyl. The latter, a veteran of just five tests, has had a solid start to his career, including a century on debut against the West Indies. Dean Elgar has been promoted up the order after Graeme Smith retired last year.

However, the Indians can cash on the fact that the openers have very little experience of playing on subcontinent pitches. Apart from DeVilliers, Amla and Duminy, none of the batsmen have any experience of playing Tests in India.

#2 South Africa\'s spin attack

South African spin consultant Claude Henderson will have his task cut out

South Africa has hardly had any established match-winners in the spin genre, and as they land in India this time around, the inexperience in this department might be a cause of concern.

The India batsmen, adept players of spin bowling, will be against the trio of Dane Piedt, Simon Harmer and Imran Tahir, whove collectively played just twenty Tests. None of them has any experience of playing Tests on Indian wickets, and itll be a test of their prowess, as well as that of Claude Henderson, their spin bowling consultant.

Imran Tahir, the most experienced out of the three, marks his return to Tests after nearly a year. He, however, has been marked by Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly as the danger-man. He has played just two tests in the subcontinent, against Sri Lanka, picking up four wickets from two Tests at an average of 84. It remains to be seen whether he lives up to his billing or not.

#3 South Africa\'s approach against spin

Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra will test the SA batsmen

The visitors ultimate test will be against a potent Indian spin attack that will be assisted with helpful conditions. In the last two years, the lineup has crumbled against the likes of Saeed Ajmal, Rangana Herath, and more recently, Dilruwan Perera and John Nyumbu. Graeme Smith, the former South African captain, has admitted that he is nervous about the SA batsmens approach against spin, especially since the tour is long and itll involve a lot of travelling and varying conditions.

India has the option of playing three spinners, if it announces the same squad as the one against Sri Lanka last month. Ravichandran Ashwin is in red hot form, on the back of twenty one wickets against the Sri Lankans last month. Amit Mishra was the second highest wicket taker in the series, bowling at an impressive average and economy. Harbhajan Singh wasnt effective in the only match he got, but the spin trio is expected to weigh heavily on the opponents, especially in targeting the inexperienced top and lower middle order.

Ashwin has played the role of the frontline spinner to perfection after a dip in form resulted in Harbhajan Singh losing his spot in the team. The fact that South Africa has three left handers in the batting lineup might bode well for Ashwin too.

#4 No replacement for Kallis and Boucher

Kallis' and Boucher's experience will be missed

The retirement of Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher has left a huge void in the South African lineup. Kallis, South Africa’s all time highest run getter, and the third overall, retired in late 2013. The all-rounder was a prominent figure in their lineup for close to two decades. Although impossible to replace, the all-rounder’s spot has seen Robin Peterson and Ryan McLaren go in and out in the past year and half. The fact that Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen have also retired has put added load on the likes of DeVilliers and DuPlessis.

Mark Boucher’s abrupt career end led to de Villers donning the gloves once again. de Kock’s blazing start in the limited overs format led to his Test debut, but he hasn’t been able to create the same impact. Dane Vilas, the Cape Cobras keeper, has been roped in as the primary wicketkeeper. The lack of experience might be a cause of concern for Vilas, who has just one Test cap to his name.

#5 South Africa\'s record in India

SA will be wary of India's home record

Since whitewashing them 2-0 fifteen years ago, South Africa hasnt managed to win a single series against India in their own backyard. India has maintained an overall enviable home record over the years, and although the team is going through a transition phase, the Indians are better suited to their home conditions and pitches. Apart from one series loss against Australia and England each, India has maintained an unbeaten home streak from the turn of this millennium.

South Africa has maintained a ratio of five victories against five defeats, but the overall record is in favour of India, with two wins against one.