Onus on Virat and Rohit, says Sehwag

“As of now, it looks like only 30 percent chance is there of making a comeback. It is going to be very tough from now on. Also the Indian team management should look whether conditions at the Centurion warrant a place for Ravichandran Ashwin,” Sehwag said. Sehwag is of the opinion that India should go in with six specialist batsmen and four bowlers. 

“India can go in with an extra batsman in Ajinkya Rahane. They should also try to go in with four specialist bowlers. If India wants to win, Virat and Rohit will need to play a big role,” the dashing former Indian opener said. Sehwag, who hit a hundred on debut in Bloemfontein back in 2001, advised the team to leave as many deliveries outside the offstump as possible. 

“Don’t fiddle with deliveries outside the offstump will be my advice to the batsmen. Play as straight as possible. Your ‘go to’ shots should be straight drive and flick. Get prepared to be hurt by some short stuff. Rather than trying to fend off short balls, get prepared to take blows on your body,” was Sehwag’s advice. 

“The tennis ball bounce in South Africa means that it will be very difficult for any batsman to get bowled. So one needs to stay positive and try to score runs at the rate of at least three runs per over,” he concluded. 

Meanwhile, former South African pace bowler Allan Donald said that it would be foolish for India to make changes in its playing XI. “That’s the selectors’ decision again. But again, South Africans see Rahane sitting on the bench and carrying drinks and they would say ‘wow’,” Donald said.