India's Trip to South Africa... Some Thoughts

After a dismal second season under Rahul Dravid as captain and Greg Chappell as coach, Team India heads to South Africa.
South Africa has never been a happy hunting ground for the Indians, with the last series there an unmitigated disaster ( remember the Mike Denness affair!!).
Despite this, I find myself curiously optimistic about India's chances in the land of the Zulu and here's why...

1.A chance to play away from home - will allow the players to get their thoughts together.After the intense scrutiny that they have been subjected to during the Champions Trophy, an away series might just be the antidote.
2. A complete series - The SL ODI series did not materialise, and playing at Malaysia ( with all the rain), did not do anything to shake off the cobwebs of the off season. Military style training and one on one coaching sessions go only so far but actual game time is what matters. South Africa promises no rain interruptions, and a chance for the players to get complete games under thier belt.
3. True wickets - In the ODIs atleast, the expectation is that the wickets will be true with the ball coming onto the bat. Given the plethora of stroke makers in the Indian team, this is welcome news. It will give the players an opportunity to regain thier touch.
4. The Bowling attack - In Sresanth, Munaf patel and VRV Singh, India has just about the pace battery to counter anything the South Africans will throw at them. Add to this the presence of Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan, and I believe India has the pace attack to take on the South Africans.
5. Team balance - By including Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Kartik, the selectors have effectively put Sehwag and Dhoni on notice. The inclusion of Anil Kumble in the ODI team may be
construed as a signal to the Team management that the era of "experimentation" is over.
6. Lack of expectations - After a miserable Champions trophy, there will be a distinct lack of expectation from the paying public. An away series with not too much expectation from the public may just be the pressure release the team is looking for.

I do not believe India will win the ODI series, but it will be a lot closer than most people think. And I also believe that this Indian team will be the first Indian team to win a test in SA.

And I still stick to my prediction that India will not progress beyond the Super 8's in the WC.