India’s ODI team can win anywhere now: Dhawan

Cape Town: Opener Shikhar Dhawan believes the Indian ODI team now has the right balance and the X-factor to succeed anywhere, holding the number one side in good stead ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England.
“We have a lot of experience. For instance, this is my second tour to South Africa, so I was better equipped for this tour, mentally and skill-wise. That plays a big role,” said Dhawan ahead of the third ODI against South Africa on Wednesday.
“The good thing is there’s experience and youth, but the younger players are also playing like they have had a lot of experience. That is a big strength of ours.”
And Hardik Pandya gives the team the extra edge.
“With an allrounder coming in, the balance overseas is set. We have the option of not introducing spinners early, depending on the situation. So we have a lot of flexibility. If the game goes a certain way, we know that we can bring on spinners later than normal, and Hardik can bowl at that time. That is certainly an x-factor,” he added.
India, who have a poor ODI record in South Africa, are set for improvement after being 2-0 up in the six-match series.
South Africa have struggled against the wrist spinners and injury to key players like Ab de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock has compounded their woes.
However, Dhawan promised that India will not take their foot off the pedal.
“I don’t think we guys are going to get complacent. It’s a big series for us. And, of course, South Africa played very well in the Test series. So we’d like to go as hard as possible and try to win whatever games come our way.”
Besides the injuries costing them, South Africa have been blown away by wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The duo shared 13 wickets between them in the first two
ODIs.
“It is difficult to play wrist-spinners because they can turn the ball on flat tracks also. And when the ball starts turning, the overseas players especially aren’t very used to it. That can create doubts in batsmen’s minds, which is why they are effective.
“If I speak of Kuldeep and Chahal, I personally find Kuldeep harder to read, and easier to read the leg spinners. There are many who can’t read the leg spinner’s googly, so Chahal’s googly will surely fool batsmen. But speaking for myself only, I find Kuldeep tougher to read,” said Dhawan.
The opener added that South Africa have not scored enough runs in the series and that the opposition now has a mental fear of wrist spin. So much so, the Proteas had quite a few local leg spinners in their nets on Tuesday ahead of the third ODI.
“I won’t say it’s a lack of patience. You’re playing one-day cricket so you have to score some runs. If you defend 50 balls and don’t score, then that’s of no use. They are losing a lot of wickets in the middle, which is why they can’t get to the targets they are trying to make,” said the opener.
“If you have some confusion or doubt in your mind, its first effect is on your thinking. No matter who the batsman, and then it shows in your batting. If they can’t read our spinners, then of course they’ll be more cautious while playing them. We do get an advantage from that.”