In Stats: Spinners’ Rise in Impact ODI Series by Series in SA

File photo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

(Photo Courtesy: BCCI)

India just didn’t win their first-ever ODI series in South Africa but decimated the Proteas in the six-match ODI series, which concluded in Centurion on Friday. The Men in Blue clinched the series 5-1 after winning the final ODI by 8 wickets.

Virat Kohli led from the front with 558 runs, but a large part of the credit should go to the wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. The spin duo have topped the wicket-takers chart with 33 wickets. They picked up 62.26 percent of the total number of wickets taken by India in the series – 53.

However, in the four ODI series preceding this series in South Africa, no spin pair has been able to top the wicket-takers chart. South Africa is known for its fast and bouncy pitches and therefore the speedsters usually are the ones who finish as the highest wicket-takers.

But the times are changing. Are the spinners coming up with smarter plans or have the pitches become more conducive for spinners? Either way, the spinners’ impact has gradually risen ODI series by series in South Africa.

Here’s a look at how the spinners have made more and more impact as ODI series have been played in South Africa.

1. England in South Africa 2015/16

When England travelled to South Africa in February 2016, the fast bowlers were the ones who topped the wicket-takers list. England’s Reece Topley took the most number of wickets (10) followed by South Africa’s speedsters Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott.

The leg-spinner Imran Tahir quietly finds a place in the fourth spot with 8 wickets. The Proteas won the series 3-2.

2. Australia in South Africa 2016/17

During the time Australia toured South Africa in September-October 2016, South Africa’s fast bowler Andile Phehlukwayo and Australia’s speedster Chris Tremain finished as the highest wicket-takers.

Even in this series, Imran Tahir played second fiddle with 6 wickets in the series. South Africa won the series 5-0.

3. Sri Lanka in South Africa 2016/17

In the series between Sri Lanka and South Africa, Imran Tahir made more impact compared to the previous two ODI series. He finished as the second highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets just behind Wayne Parnell.

However, Chris Morris and Rabada’s performance showed that the fast bowlers still ruled the roost.

South Africa won the series 5-0.

4. Bangladesh in South Africa 2017/18

In the series between Bangladesh and South Africa, Imran Tahir found his way to the top of the wicket-takers list with 6 wickets. However, he was followed by three speedsters – Andile Phehlukwayo (SA), Kagiso Rabada (SA) and Rubel Hossain (Bangladesh).

The fast bowlers are still up there, but what’s interesting to see is that the leg-spinner has gradually moved up the top wicket-takers column series by series.

South Africa won the series 3-0.

5. India in South Africa 2017/18

In the series between India and South Africa, the visitors’ wrist spinners Kuldeep and Chahal took the spinners’ impact on the game to a very high level. The third and fourth best bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Lungi Ngidi are far behind with eight wickets each.

Unfortunately, Imran Tahir was not able to make any impact in this series, picking up just one wicket in four matches.

So, have the spinners improved over the course of the last five ODI series in South Africa or are the South Africans preparing pitches more suitable to spinners? Tell us in the comments section below.

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