After being defeated by the Proteas in the 4th ODI, the Indian team was seen working hard in the net session ahead of the 5th ODI. The limited-overs series is very tightly scheduled as the teams are getting hardly any time to take an off. The two teams traveled to Port Elizabeth from Johannesburg the very next day after the last game. Also, both the teams hit the nets as soon as they reached the venue for the 5th ODI.
While South Africa are sweating it out to draw in the series, the men in blue will try their best to seal the series in the 5th ODI itself. Team India needs to win just one more game to seal their first ever bilateral series in the Rainbow nation. The Pink ODI and comeback of AB de Villiers seemed to have helped South Africa’s cause in the previous game. However, the Proteas should be on the top of their game to prove that it wasn’t a lucky win for them.
Also read: Phehlukwayo decodes the startegy to bowl to DhoniTeam India arrived in Port Elizabeth on Sunday (February 12) and started practicing for the fifth ODI the very next day. The BCCI took it to their Twitter handle to share a beautiful picture of Port Elizabeth. They tweeted, “Silent and serene. A cloudy welcome at Port Elizabeth.”
Silent and serene. A cloudy welcome at Port Elizabeth #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/7oCPFQpVZs
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2018
Moreover, senior selector and former Indian bowler Sarandeep Singh were spotted at the nets while the team was practicing. Earlier, Team India also received a traditional welcome at the venue.
Also read: Sridhar names Dhoni's wicketkeeping as 'The Mahi Way'Moreover, the former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni was seen in the nets bowling some slow leg-spin. He alongside Axar Patel have spotted bowling in tandem at the nets. MS Dhoni was earlier observed bowling medium pace at the nets as well. He often takes up various roles at the net practice session. The batsmen tried to take the spinners on and hit them for some big shots. BCCI also shared a video of Dhoni and Axar bowling in the nets.
Some left arm spin from @akshar2026 and slow leggies from @msdhoni. It's all happening at the spinner's nets #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/syf23R6dSE
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2018
The Indian batsmen were also seen practicing hard in the nets as Mahi was also there to enhance his play in the slog overs. Even Hardi Pandya and Ajinkya Rahane were also seen brushing up their batting skills.
A few shots from #TeamIndia's practice session from Port Elizabeth on the eve of the 5th ODI against South Africa #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/maFIsvqWrW
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2018
Even MSd was seen dancing down the track, as he sent the ball soaring as the net bowler had to ask for a new ball. BCCI posted the video on Instagram which read: “BOOOOOM! ??? New balls please! @mahi7781 in the house #TeamIndia #SAvIND.”
