India vs South Africa Fifth ODI 2018 Preview: Will Virat Kohli's Men Clinch Series Against Resurgent Proteas at Spin-Friendly Port Elizabeth?

The Indian team will be looking forward to wrapping up the six-match One Day International (ODI) Series against South Africa on February 13. India will look to stop Proteas' momentum and not let them spoil the chances of their maiden ODI series in South Africa. India will lock horns with South Africa in the Fifth ODI at St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. The South African team bounced back strong against Indians in the rain-truncated ODI at Johannesburg, in their pursuit to keep the series alive.

For the first time in the six-match ODI series, the Proteas showed some resistance to spin-duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. However, a big factor to South Africa’s win in the Fourth ODI was the rain interventions during the match. Virat Kohli-led Indian team were taken aback when both, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen began their counter-attack after the brief interruption.

Earlier, India posted 289 runs on the scoreboard riding high on Shikhar Dhawan’s knock of 109 runs. Dhawan, now, is the only Indian to score a century in his 100th ODI. Dhoni seemed to provide the late impetus in the innings as he was unbeaten on his innings of run-a-ball 42 runs. There were dual rain interruptions in the match – firstly while India was looking to post a mammoth total, and secondly when they came out to bowl. The South African team were set a revised target of 202 runs from 28 overs, which they chased easily, despite their star batsman – AB de Villiers’ early departure.

The 'Men in Blue' made their share of mistakes as David Miller’s dropped catch, and Jasprit Bumrah wicket of a no-ball proved too costly for the visiting side. The Indian side was short of a bowling option as regular bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Bumrah, Chahal, and Yadav – were all expensive and failed to stem the flow of runs.

The pitch at Elizabeth Port has assisted spin bowling in the past and Indian team would be itching to cash-in on that fact. South Africa left out Imran Tahir in the fourth ODI and relied solely on Duminy’s spin bowling. However, Tahir is slated to come back in the side, given the track record at St. George’s Park.

For South Africa, with rain playing a helping hand, the team will want to replicate their performance in the contest on February 13, too. However, Klaasen and Miller’s explosive batting suggests little if the South African camp has figured out the spin-combo. AB de Villiers would also be looking to hit form and so would another senior pro in the side – Hashim Amla.

For India, the batsmen have not clicked as a collective unit. Opener Rohit Sharma has been having a forgettable tour so far and would like to turn things around. Ajinkya Rahane, too, who scored 79 on his ODI comeback have dismal performances in the previous two ODIs. Hardik Pandya hasn’t contributed significantly with the bat either. If India wants to bag the series on Tuesday, they will have to come all guns blazing in the Fifth ODI.

India’s Likely XI:

1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Ajinkya Rahane, 5. Shreyas Iyer / Kedar Jadhav, 6. MS Dhoni (wk), 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Yuzvendra Chahal, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

On the bench: Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, and Shardul Thakur.

South Africa’s Likely XI:

1. Aiden Markram (c), 2. Hashim Amla, 3. AB de Villiers, 4. JP Duminy, 5. David Miller, 6. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7. Chris Morris / Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Morne Morkel, 9. Lungisani Ngidi, 10. Imran Tahir, 11.Kagiso Rabada

On the bench: Tabraiz Shamsi, Khayelihle Zondo, and Farhaan Behardien.

India is 3-1 up in the six-match ODI series and they have a cushion of two-wins, going into the Fifth ODI. The 'Men in Blue' will not let go of any chance in their quest to win an ODI series in South Africa. The Proteas will look to continue their form and fortune in the ODI, in order to keep the series alive.

Will India canter to another win against the hosts, or will the home team be able to take the series in the Final ODI? We will have an interesting contest between South Africa and India on Tuesday. Stay tuned with Latestly, for all the latest updates about India vs South Africa ODI Series.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 12, 2018 01:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).