2018 South Africa Vs India

India vs South Africa: Once the gold standard for fielding, Proteas’ aura in the field quickly diminishing

It is evident that South Africa have a slew of batting and bowling concerns, but the elephant in the room is fielding and they need to work on it on a priority basis.

India vs South Africa: Unflappable Manish Pandey could be the missing piece in Virat Kohli and Co's middle-order jigsaw

As they take on the Proteas in the final match of a series which they have already won, India might want to take a punt on Pandey considering the World Cup is close by and an over-reliance on the top three isn't ideal, as their Champions Trophy debacle showed.

India vs South Africa: Virat Kohli and Co fielding five bowlers in limited overs a potent strategy with World Cup 2019 in mind

At St George’s Park though, Pandya really shone through. India's bowling revolved around him. Despite the threat of rain, the match wasn’t truncated and India needed their fifth bowler to put his hand up to get through 50 overs.

India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma plays to his strengths to end jinx in Rainbow Nation

Rohit Sharma has been criticised for everything from his technique to his temperament and composure. But as has been the case right through his career, he managed to ignore the din and compile a hard-working century.

India vs South Africa: Rohit Sharma's career took two steps back with typical struggle against Proteas

It cannot be denied that every single time Rohit Sharma has visited South Africa, his career trajectory has taken two steps back, instead of four forward. If he were Napoleon, this country would be his Waterloo.

India vs South Africa: Virat Kohli's intent fuses insanity with steely resolve

Kohli is that stuntman driving a bike/car vertically in a ‘well of death’. From the outside, it looks like he is out of control. Unknown to those watching however, there is a clear understanding of what he is doing, and more importantly, why so.

India vs South Africa: Proteas bowlers guilty of letting Virat Kohli and Co off the hook on ridiculously bowler-friendly pitch

On Wednesday, South Africa’s bowlers were guilty of letting India off the hook. Barring Kohli and Pujara, the other batsmen had scores of 8, 0, 9, 2, 0. Yet India managed to accumulate 187 runs, a total that might yet turn out to be a match-winning one

India vs South Africa: Mohammed Shami harried Proteas in incisive spell to show he’s the best pacer in Virat Kohli’s side

Shami lacks the raw pace of Umesh Yadav. But he has other skills to fall back upon. And when all those skills come together, like they did in the first session of the morning, Shami looks exceptionally good.

India vs South Africa: Inconsistent policy and muddled team selection are hurting Virat Kohli and Co

Horses for courses is a perfectly acceptable selection policy. But India dropping in-form Bhuvneshwar and playing Rohit ahead of Rahane because of current form is one of the examples of many inconsistencies with their team selection.

India vs South Africa: Virat Kohli and Co need a disruptive opener in Virender Sehwag mould to tackle hosts

Sehwag’s smart thinking and clean, aggressive batsmanship often terrorised bowlers. Not everyone can bat with the destructive brilliance of Sehwag. But at least one top-order batsman needs to deliver thus.