Ind SA ODI 2 Preview: Onus on Indian Batsmen as Bowlers Struggle with Hosts in the Lead

Time is running out for Indian cricketers as the Indian selectors will announce India's World Cup squad on Monday and there is only the second India South Africa ODI on Saturday for their final chance to make the fifteen man squad.

yuvraj singh walks back

The carnival of one day cricket moves to Johannesburg from Durban and it appears there will be a more serious concern in the Indian dressing room after the drubbing that was the first ODI at Kingsmead.

Relying on limited resources and perhaps mentally depleted after the India South Africa Test series, the Indians failed a make a case for themselves in the first ODI, conceding too many runs without discipline in bowling and then, showing themselves inept against the bounce extracted by the South African bowlers.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, has acknowledged the present woes compounded by injuries to the openers and limited bowling options that saw Dhoni substitute the expensive and ineffective Ashish Nehra with part time bowlers to fill in. Yusuf Pathan is still lying in wait in the Indian dressing room and Dhoni will have a tough time manoeuvring his limited resources such that every player can make a significant contribution before the selectors have a last impression.

Considered the practice for the World Cup, although the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be played in more familiar conditions for India, India would not want to go down insipidly to the hosts. Graeme Smith knows that very well which is why he is rather keen that South Africa not let up on the intensity. Irrespective of where the series stands in terms of what is coming ahead, the two teams will be locked headlong in battle which should make the bull ring at the Wanderers come alive.