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Let Quinton de Kock open: Major areas SA must fix to level ODI series vs IND in Raipur

Sakshi Sharma

India vs South Africa (Source: AFP)India vs South Africa (Source: AFP)

South Africa suffered a narrow 17-run defeat against India in the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday. India's star performer was Virat Kohli, who scored his 52nd ODI hundred, along with half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, to post 349/8. 

Despite being reduced to 11/3, South Africa fought back through Matthew Breetzke (72), Marco Jansen (70) and Corbin Bosch (67) before falling short at 332 all out. With India leading the three-match series 1-0, South Africa now head into the 2nd ODI in Raipur needing a few corrections.

Here are three things South Africa must get right to level the series:

1. Sent Quinton de Kock back as opener, move Aiden Markram to No. 4

Criterion
Quinton de Kock
Aiden Markram
Innings (Opening)155
24
Runs6925
786
SR96.79
90.87
Average47.11
34.17

(Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram's stats as openers)

  • South Africa’s top-order combination looked unsettled in the first ODI, especially with Aiden Markram opening, a role he is not naturally suited for. With regular skipper Temba Bavuma out due to illness, SA pushed Markram to the top, but the move has not helped the team’s stability. If there is one player who must open, it is Quinton de Kock. 
  • His ODI numbers as an opener are elite, he has played 155 matches (as an opener) with 6925 runs at an average of 47.11 and a strike-rate of 96.7. These stats show exactly why he belongs in the top two. Markram, meanwhile, has far better numbers at No. 4, where he averages 42.92 with a strike-rate of 100.70. 
Criterion
Data
Innings43
Runs1588
Average42.92
Strike Rate100.70

(Aiden Markram's stats at No.4)

  • For South Africa to start well, de Kock must be restored as the opener, and Markram should return to No. 4, a position that suits his game and temperament.

2. Improve bowling discipline

  • In Ranchi, South Africa went with four pacers, Marco Jansen, Nandre Burger, Corbin Bosch, Ottneil Baartman, and just one spinner, Prenelan Subrayen, with Keshav Maharaj rested.
  • In the 1st ODI, Subrayen struggled, conceding 73 runs at 7.30 economy without taking a wicket. The 2nd ODI in Raipur is expected to be played on a two-paced pitch, especially with winter reducing sun exposure and preventing dryness. This increases the need for a steady, experienced spinner, and so in the 2nd ODI, South Africa should go with Keshav Maharaj.
  • For the second match, SA may stick with the four seamers, but swapping Subrayen for Keshav Maharaj could provide the control they lacked in the middle overs.

3. Build and sustain bigger partnerships

  • One positive from the first ODI was the tremendous fightback by the middle order. The century stands by Breetzke, Jansen and Bosch nearly turned the game around. However, SA’s problem lies in the top-order collapse. At 11/3, they were left with a mountain to climb, and though the middle order revived the innings, the pressure proved too much.
  • But SA will want players like Tony de Zorzi and Dewald Brevis to step up more and build meaningful partnerships to stabilise the innings. Had Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis added more 20-25 runs, the 17-run gap could have easily been closed.