BOUNCE IS THE BUZZWORD

Pace A Factor, But The Performance Of Both The Teams’ Top Order May Well Decide The Game

- Partha Bhaduri

4 Number of matches won by India against South Africa in T20 World Cup, enjoying 80% success.

6.80 Economy rate shared by Bhuvneshwar Kumar (14 wickets at 17.00 runs apiece in 11 matches) and R Ashwin (10 at 24.50 in 9) - the best among the Indian bowlers with 8 wickets or more against South Africa in T20Is. 

Perth: It is unusually cold here for late October. Perth is famous for the Freemantle Doctor, the cooling afternoon sea breeze which is strongest in December and January and likes to influence Test-match sessions at the WACA (now known as the Optus Stadium). On this day it’s a different wind, one with a serrated edge to it, which adds to the chill factor and makes everyone rush for their hoodies.

It is late afternoon and already overcast and drizzling when Rahul Dravid walks up to the net bowlers. They have been bunched together for long, whispering among themselves, waiting for India’s cricketers to arrive.