Jan. 24: It was too good to last. Yusuf Pathan’s run-a-minute blast gave India a foot in the door in the fifth and final match of the ODI series on Sunday, but the odds were far too overwhelming for a side that had lost all their recognised batsmen 200-odd runs short of the target.

The collapse meant that India’s chances of racking up their first ODI series win on South African soil went down the trash chute. The 2-3 scoreline was an improvement over the 0-4 mauling of Rahul Dravid’s bunch in 2006-07 and 2-5 of Mohammad Azharuddin-led side in 1992-93, but given how closely-fought the series had been, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men would be kicking themselves for not having shown a bit more application while batting.

Before Sunday’s match, the SuperSport Park was the only venue where India had beaten the hosts more times in ODIs than the other way round. The nine-wicket loss four years ago had followed two wins — one in 1992 and the other in 2001.

But even in the midst of these gory statistics, there were a couple of positives that India will take heart from when the big 50-over bash begins in the sub-continent next month.

Hidden strengths emerge
The series was one of the few in the recent times for India where the batsmen couldn’t get going. In the five ODIs, the visitors lost their top-five batsmen with less than 100 on board three times.

Given the fact that the team still very much rely on their batting might for wins, the bowlers were left with a lot more to do than in normal circumstances. Munaf Patel stepped up to the plate with 11 wickets and along with pace spearhead Zaheer Khan (9), they were just one dismissal shy of equalling the South African new-ball combine of Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe at a combined 21 wickets.

Four years ago, Munaf had been sent back from this country after being accused of possessing a poor attitude and a fragile mind. He’s dropped his pace since then and reinvented himself as a bowler with a number of variations including a very deceptive slower ball.

The latter is one of the assets that can hold India in good stead in the death overs at the World Cup. Add the canny Praveen Kumar, and an abundant supply of part-timer spin options — all in-form — and India has capacity to stun few sides, just with bowling resources.

“We don’t have express bowlers, but we have bowlers with skill. In the last few overs, the bowlers used their variations well,” Dhoni said. “With Munaf… it’s just the fact that he bowls so straight and varies his pace very well. If they bowl like this in the World Cup, I’ll be pleased,” Dhoni added.

Different conditions, rested souls
India had ran into trouble in New Zealand just before the 2003 World Cup. They were hammered 5-2 on seaming tracks, but bounced back to make the final of the big bash here. Conditions at the World Cup are unlikely to be anywhere near what prevailed here. The slow and low pitches will be a lot more-batting friendly.

“The World Cup is going to be different, totally different conditions, mindset is totally different,” said South Africa skipper Graeme Smith. “You want to play well, and you want to have confidence but World Cup is whole different atmosphere for us.”

The World Cup will also be the first time after more than 15 months that Dhoni will have a full-strength squad at his disposal. The last time India went in with all four — Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan — available was in December 2009. Resting them all was a risky move — India had steeled themselves for a few temporary setbacks in the interim period, but could prove to be a masterstroke in the end.

New cogs in the wheel
India have won 16 of the last 19 bilateral series since their last visit to South Africa in 2006. And under Dhoni, that record is equally impressive — nine triumphs in 11 attempts.

But in all this time, first Dravid and Dhoni later, struggled to find a replacement for the out-of-form Irfan Pathan, who once had the capacity to win matches with both bat and ball.

His brother Yusuf Pathan hasn’t been able to win matches yet with the ball, but given the kind of stunning batting form he is in at the moment, Dhoni will be hard pressed not to hand him the regular No. 7 slot at the World Cup

Against New Zealand in December, he racked up his first hundred off just 79 balls, only to better it on Sunday against South Africa. He reached the milestone in a mere 68 balls, becoming the first player in the limited-overs format to hit two tons at the No. 7 position.
Gunning for a regular place in the playing XI along with Yusuf is Virat Kohli. He’s coming off two impressive ODI hundreds against New Zealand, and looks like the ideal candidate to replace a misfiring Suresh Raina.

“Virat’s performance is big positive for us and we are hoping he keeps going on like this,” said the Indian skipper. The World Cup is still three weeks away and a lot can change in that time. Old injuries could resurface, out-of-form batsmen may rediscover their touch, but the gruelling South Africa tour has ensured that India, nevertheless, will go into the big-ticket tournament with their best foot forward. Watch this space.