India's ODI series victory against South Africa was a mixed bag, showcasing the enduring class of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the emergence of batting talents, and the inconsistency of the bowling reserves. The series, which India won 2-1, provided several key takeaways for the Men in Blue as they continue preparations for future tournaments.
Ro-Ko Still Have It
The series emphatically reiterated that the Kohli-Sharma era is far from over. Both veterans demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the 2027 World Cup with stellar performances. Virat Kohli, named Player of the Series, amassed 302 runs at an astounding average of 151, including two centuries and a half-century. His aggressive intent and ability to score boundaries were particularly striking. Rohit Sharma, too, displayed his class, crossing 20,000 international runs and providing fiery starts with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their experience and form are invaluable assets for India's ODI ambitions. Kohli said he felt he was in the best form in 2-3 years and was enjoying his batting.
Batting Back-Ups Deliver
The series unearthed promising batting options in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both scored their maiden ODI centuries, proving their mettle in the absence of key players. Jaiswal's unbeaten 116 in the final ODI, coupled with a 155-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma, sealed the series victory. Gaikwad's century in the second ODI also showcased his potential. These performances provide India with a wealth of talent and healthy competition for spots in the batting order. Jaiswal became the sixth Indian batter to score a century in all three formats of the game.
Bowling Back-Ups Struggle
In contrast to the batting, India's bowling reserves failed to make a significant impact. While Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna delivered match-winning performances in the final ODI, the overall consistency and bite in the middle overs were lacking. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah was keenly felt, and the bowlers struggled to contain South Africa's aggressive batsmen in the first two ODIs. This highlighted the need for India to develop a more robust and reliable pool of bowlers to support their first-choice attack.
Specifically, Washington Sundar's role was brought into question after he neither bowled enough overs nor contributed significantly with the bat in the first two ODIs. He was eventually replaced by Tilak Varma in the final match. In the first two ODIs, Sundar bowled only seven overs combined without taking a wicket and had poor returns of 1 and 13.
Series Summary
India won the first ODI by 17 runs, showcasing a fighting spirit despite bowling concerns. South Africa bounced back emphatically in the second ODI, chasing down a target of 359, exposing vulnerabilities in India's bowling attack. The final ODI saw India dominate with both bat and ball, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory and the series. India finally won the toss in the last ODI after losing 20 consecutive ODI tosses.
Overall, the series victory provided India with timely relief after their Test series loss against South Africa. While the batting performances offered encouragement, the bowling inconsistencies raised concerns. As India shifts focus to the upcoming T20 series, addressing these bowling concerns will be crucial for sustained success.
