Opinion: Can India make it 3-0 today South Africa's favourite venue?

You do not often see a visiting Indian side to South Africa in a position like this. They are 2-0 up in the six-match ODI series, and as they take on the hosts in the third ODI at Cape Town, India have a rare chance of taking an unassailable lead. A victory here would ensure that India cannot lose the series, which would be a significant achievement in itself given India’s poor record on previous tours here. However, the manner in which India has dominated South Africa in the first two ODIs, one cannot help but say that India starts off as the favourite.

Virat Kohli’s men have displayed a brand of cricket they are known for these days – fearless, positive and purposeful. They have been clinical both with the bat and the ball and led by an exuberant captain, are firing on all cylinders. South Africa, on the other hand, seems to be coming off at the seams. After losing star batsman AB de Villiers at the start of the series, they lost their captain Faf du Plessis and now wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock after the first two ODIs. While injuries have certainly hampered their progress, South Africa has been rather undisciplined in the batting and lackluster with the ball.

South Africa’s longtime running struggle against wrist spin is continuing to haunt them as both of India’s spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav – have been all over them during the middle overs, and India would hope that they can carry on their magic. The home side would also really need more than just the 39 runs their top batsman Hashim Amla has mustered in the series so far. Stand-in captain Aiden Markram also has his task cut out and would have to bat out of his skin to ensure his team gets decent totals on the board.

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For India, most bases look covered. Their captain is in red-hot form and the bowling looks to be getting the job done every time. While India’s lower middle-order, led by the old warhorse MS Dhoni, has not been tested yet, they would also want Rohit Sharma to play with more responsibility. For all the talent he has, he keeps getting out to careless shots even before he has settled in and it is about time he got that in check. Otherwise, India looks to have a settled outfit and should be fielding the same eleven that played in the first two ODIs.

The only solace South Africa has going into this ODI is their record at the venue. Newlands is their happy-hunting ground where they have won 28 out of 33 matches they have played. So, that should give them some confidence and, hopefully, inspire them to play better.

As things stand, India will fancy their chances against a depleted, severely short on confidence, South Africa, as they take them on in the third ODI at Cape Town and the hosts will have to pull something really special out of their bag to stop this resurgent India.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)