The ongoing India-South Africa series has been an interesting contest with both teams coming up with some spectacular performances. After winning the fourth ODI in Chennai, India have levelled the five-match ODI series 2-2, hence, the fifth and final ODI in Mumbai on Sunday will be the series decider.
India and South Africa have produced some magical moments; however, they need to come up with their best in Mumbai to win the series.
There are a number of top players in both teams, such as Ab De Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn (South Africa) and Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohit Sharma (India), who are all going to be pumped up for the Mumbai ODI.
Here is a look at the key players, who are capable of swinging the fortunes for their respective teams.
India
Rohit Sharma – The Mumbai lad has been in good form in this ODI series; all he needs to do is provide India with yet another solid start at the top of the order, irrespective of whether MS Dhoni's men bat first or second. Rohit, who possesses the special talent of attacking the bowlers with amazing ease, can even consolidate his solid start by playing some big shots when he sets his eye in, but the key remains not to lose early wickets to the new ball. With India possessing some brilliant players in the middle order, including Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli, India can benefit hugely from Rohit's good start.
Bhunvneshwar Kumar – India's opening bowler might not have been able to produce that swing for which he is known, but has been able to play an important part in helping the home team emerge victorious. Bhuvneshwar delivered with the ball in the second and fourth ODIs, which India won, picking three wickets each. India lost the first and third ODI, where Bhuvneshwar did not pick up a single wicket. Such stats also throw some light that if the seamers get their act going, they can be a strong force with their spinners in the middle overs. Dhoni will be asking Bhuvneshwar to get early wickets in the fifth ODI as it will slow down the South African run-rate automatically.
South Africa
Ab de Villiers – The South African is not only the best batsmen in the Proteas' line up but also one of best in the world with his willow. The outcome of the series, to a large extent, may be decided on how the batsman plays in the fifth ODI for, he can change the course of the game in a matter of overs and also win from impossible situations. With de Villiers possessing an array of shots against the spinners as well as the pacers, the visitors will depend on the services of their captain in the fifth and final ODI.
Kagiso Rabada - The youngster from South Africa has been one of the best bowlers in the series. Rabada has taken six wickets in the ODI series and looks set to play an integral part in Mumbai with his bowling with the new ball and during the death overs, where he can silence batsmen such as Dhoni. Rabada has been pretty tight with his line and length along with good variations of pace and bounce. The Indian batsmen have found scoring runs against the pacer difficult when he bowls the ball in the right areas.
