Pressure on India in crucial fifth game
Pressure on India in crucial fifth game
The scenario four down and one to play, with the hosts requiring a win to square the series, does give it a lift, but what has made it more interesting is the fact that both teams are in line for a huge incentive. On a wicket where Sachin Tendulkar honed his cricketing skills, India will need to play out of their skins if they are to stop the South Africans.
As far as close finishes go, it can’t get better than this. The scenario four down and one to play, with the hosts requiring a win to square the series, does give it a lift, but what has made it more interesting is the fact that both teams are in line for a huge incentive. On a wicket where Sachin Tendulkar honed his cricketing skills, India will need to play out of their skins if they are to stop the South Africans. Also, there is the little matter of national pride at stake; no Indian team has lost a one-day series to the Proteas at home since their re-admission into world cricket.
Having said that, 17 summers after breaking into the Indian team, the maestro will be under a bit of pressure to showcase his legendary status, not only to the loving citizens of Mumbai but also to the world in general. South Africa, on the other hand, armed with a 2-1 lead, are bristling with confidence and will not rest until their hunger has been satiated. A series victory in India is what they set out for when they embarked on the sub-continent journey and sure enough, they are in with a real good chance to achieve that in the day-nighter at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
More: deccanherald.com