India v South Africa ODI Series...The Master Blasters

By Bigjoe

Commences Sunday 21st February, 09:00 GMT

India retained the No1 Test ranking after a pulsating and dramatic win in Kolkata to draw the mini two-Test series. The turning point in that Test came after tea on Day 1 when South Africa sensationally collapsed from 218-1. They were eventually bowled out for 296, a woefully small score in perfect batting conditions.

India, led by the master blaster Virender Sehwag and the little master, Sachin Tendulkar, made short work of ensuring India made the most of that momentum shift in the series as they both scored centuries to set India on their way to a massive first innings lead. VVS laxman and MS Dhoni completed the misery for the Saffers as they too each scored a ton.

A 340 run deficit was always going to be a massive task for the Saffers to overcome, especially on a pitch that Harbhajan Singh has always adored. And so it proved, despite an amazing rearguard by Hamish Amla, India wrapped up an innings win, albeit they left it very late after a stubborn last wicket

Out injured Graeme Smith

stand by Amla and Morne Morkel.

Now we move on to a three game ODI series. The momentum and confidence gained by India retaining their No1 Test ranking cannot be underestimated and I believe they will dominate this series as a result.

India will be missing some key players though, most notably Harbhajan Singh who is attending his sisters wedding and both Zaheer Khan and Gambhir out with groin injuries. But the returning ODI form players Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Ashish Nehra should counter balance that and the Indian side remains strong for this series.

South Africa will be missing their skipper Graeme Smith through injury too, but their wicketkeeper Mark Boucher should return after missing the Test match. They will also be boosted by the return of ODI specialists Herschelle Gibbs and Johan Botha.

Overall I feel India will prove too strong in this format on their home pitches. The potentially destructive opening partnership of Sehwag and Tendulkar are both in invincible form at the moment and they will give India the flying starts to post or chase up big targets and I am confident that they will prevail in at least two out of the three games and thereby win the series.

My suggested bets for this series therefore are:

In The Series Outright Market:

BACK India to win for 5 points @ 1.8 at Sportingbet

In The “Top Indian Series Batsman” Market:

BACK Virender Sehwag for 1 point @ 3.75 at Sky Bet

Join me as I believe the master blasters will propel India to a comfortable series win.

Bigjoe.