Cricket Update: Series too close to call- Indian Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028
Indian captain, MS Dhoni believes that India and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 are so evenly matched that he can’t predict who would win the series decider on Sunday.
The two top Tests team will be playing the fifth and the One Day International (ODI) at the Centurion and will definitely be a closely-contested match.
“You have two of the best teams in the world competing here, so we’ll see what happens on Sunday,” Dhoni stated.
However, he stressed again that the top order needs to work hard in order to put up a fight against the Proteas. Youngster http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virat-Kohli-c95424 is the only saving grace for the World Cup favourites since he has been the only shining star of the series when he played
one of his finest international innings in the fourth ODI. Kohli remained unbeaten at 76 but luck was not on India’s side as rain interrupted the game and South Africa was declared winners on the D/L method.
“It’s Kohli’s batting that has been a big positive for us but our batsmen have not really clicked,” Dhoni conceded.
He said that it is a matter of concern for the Indian side ahead of the World Cup that is scheduled to begin from 19 February in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
India has been without their experienced batting line-up with Virendar Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 nursing their injuries to be fit for the coveted event.
Dhoni also admitted that the trio’s absence has cost the Indian side but it gave an opportunity for the young blood to experience.
“It’s a bit of a worry as in India there will high scoring games, but we have some really good young players who have proved themselves in the series,” the 29-year-old stated in a pre-match press conference.
Dhoni concluded that the fifth match is a “must-win game” for both the teams and whichever team will be the best on Sunday will win.
Meanwhile, South African captain Graeme Smith echoed Dhoni’s sentiments saying that no team holds the advantage.
“It’s just about who performs better on the day,” Smith stated.
He said that the Proteas will be fighting hard in the last ODI before the World Cup, just like they fought their way back into the series in Port Elizabeth during the fourth ODI on Friday.
The hosts experimented with the squad ahead of the global showpiece in the sub-continent as they brought in three seamers. He admitted that even though the team was aware of the buzz around the grand event, yet they gained experience from this series.
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