(Cricket news) India lost the ODI series against South Africa 3-0. It was the first ODI series since Virat Kohli was sacked from captaincy. After the disappointment of losing a Test series, people expected India to come out all guns blazing. That didn't happen as India were completely toothless in the 3 games. Winning a series in South Africa is never easy as Virat Kohli is the only Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa.
South Africa were brilliant in all 3 departments. Quinton de Kock was awarded the man of the series award. Rassie van der Dussen, Janeman Malan and skipper Temba Bavuma had a good series with the bat. Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Phehlukwayo and Keshav Maharaj were exquisite with the ball picking up wickets at key moments in the game to break partnerships. South Africa were particularly exceptional in the middle overs where they dictated the pace while batting and bowling.
The Indian side was very imbalanced due to the absence of Jadeja which is worrying signs as over dependence on a player is always risky, especially when that player regularly plays all 3 formats. The only positive perhaps is the batting performances of Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar down the order but that isn't something the two haven't done in the past. Ravichandran Ashwin's return to ODIs wasn't a good one. Yuzvendra Chahal looked like a shadow of the bowler that used to win India games on regular occasions.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's performance indicates that he might not play for India in the near future. Jasprit Bumrah had a decent series but lacked support from the other end. Venkatesh Iyer played the first two games and missed the last. He wasn't able to replicate his Vijay Hazare trophy form at the international stage and will need time to settle into the side. Virat Kohli is still waiting for his 71st century but he did score 2 half centuries in 3 games.
KL Rahul failed as an opener therefore it's safe to assume that he will have to bat in the middle order against West Indies where skipper Rohit Sharma will hopefully be back. Shreyas Iyer was also a big disappointment in the series as he failed to cross the 50 run mark. Rishabh Pant played a very good innings in the 2nd match but completely threw his wicket away recklessly in the 3rd.
Despite being the top scorer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ruturaj Gaikwad wasn't given a chance even when India had already lost the series. One way to look at it is that Rahul Dravid and co. may be refraining to put him in the side straight away. The opener is still very young and could have to sit out a couple of years. India now shifts its focus on the 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against the West Indies at home where anything apart from a convincing win in both the series will be massive warning signs.
Also read: South Africa win see-saw thriller to inflict whitewash on lackluster India
