The wheels are coming off South Africa’s ODI campaign with wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock becoming the latest to be ruled out of the limited overs series against India.
The Proteas – trailing 2-0 in the six-match series – entered the limited overs leg of the tour by India without AB de Villiers, who injured his finger while attempting a catch of Virat Kohli during the third Test in Johannesburg.
In the opening ODI, captain Faf du Plessis suffered a fractured finger as he attempted to catch an edge off Kohli’s bat. South Africa suffered in the absence of AB and Faf in the second match in Centurion as they were bowled out for 118 with wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav taking eight wickets between them on a slow surface.
While De Villiers is expected to be back by the fourth ODI, Faf has been ruled out of the entire limited overs leg of the tour. And now, wicketkeeper De Kock has been sidelined as well after picking up a wrist injury while batting in the second ODI.
It has been a torrid month or so for De Kock. He struggled throughout the Test series and the first two ODIs, with his batting becoming progressively worse. Time away from the field must just have saved De Kock from further hits to his confidence.
What do Hardik Pandya, Andre Russell and Colin Miller have in common?
For the South African team management, it is turning out to be a nightmare. They first saw returning pace ace Dale Steyn pick up a heel injury in the first Test and now have three premier batsmen on the sidelines.
South Africa have now lost both their de’s and their only du #SAvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 5, 2018
Given the recent fitness history of South African players, there is a real danger of Proteas failing to field a first-choice playing XI for the four-Test series against Australia which starts on March 1.
The latest injury blow means South Africa’s chances of making a comeback in the ODI series have suffered a major setback. India’s spinners have been lethal on slow surfaces in Durban and Centurion. If the wickets continue to be as helpful in the next few games, the Proteas can kiss the series goodbye.
The hosts will be hoping for some support from the groundsmen at Cape Town (third ODI on Wednesday) and Johannesburg (fourth ODI) to not only negate India’s spin threat but also give a leg-up to their own pace battery.
After the first two Tests, which the Proteas won after an almighty effort, things have gone downhill quite quickly.
WHAT ABOUT THE WORLD CUP?
The 50-over World Cup will be held in England next year and the South African management had made it clear they want to use the India series as an opportunity to build a pool of players for the showpiece event.
However, any player that comes in now will be forced to deliver when the dressing room is in tatters and that is not a good starting point for any long-term campaign.
The Proteas, obviously, wanted to make team changes according to their requirements but right now they are struggling to keep their head above water. Forget 2019, the Proteas will do well to save 2018.
