The three-ODI series between India and South Africa is evenly poised at 1-1 with a match to spare. The hosts will need a win in the third ODI at Vizag on Saturday (December 6) to avoid a second successive series defeat against the Proteas after suffering 0-2 whitewash in the preceding Test series.
On the eve of the series-deciding final ODI, South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke addressed a press conference, where he said that the Men in Blue will come hard at them but backed their balanced batting side to overcome the challenge.
"We're going to have to play good cricket against a really good side. We know that they're going to be really hungry to win. It's a must-win game, so it's going to be a really good contest," Breetzke told reporters.
He took heart from the fight South Africa's middle and lower-order showed in the first and second ODI matches.
"We've got a nice balance in our side with a couple of guys who are proper batters, and then you've got powerhouses like (Dewald) Brevis, (Marco) Jansen and Corbin (Bosch) that can change the game on its head.
"So I think we complement each other really well, and there's a lot of confidence in the batting group at the moment. We will have to do it again tomorrow."
Breetzke said the presence of power-hitters down the line allows the top-order batters to play risk-free cricket.
"It gives you confidence as top order batters, knowing that you have Jansen and Bosh at the bottom. I think we've seen Bosh in the last two matches play some really special innings.
"The top four it gives you a lot of confidence. You can take a little bit more time, because you know you've got that explosive power at the back end," he stated.
Breetzke said the recent tour to Pakistan helped him adapt to the new role of batting at No. 4.
"Yeah, a little bit. I think obviously the conditions were a lot different in Pakistan, but obviously I'm just getting more experience now batting at 4, where I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable. Hopefully I'll get better," he remarked.
South Africa rode on Aiden Markram’s ton (110 off 98) and crucial contributions from Matthew Breetzke (68 off 64), Dewald Brevis (54 off 34) and Corbin Bosch (29* off 15) to overhaul the formidable 359-run target with four deliveries to spare in Raipur.
While dew made life difficult for the Indian bowlers, Breetzke said the visitors have plans on how to tackle the situation if they have to bat first in Vizag.
"We have seen that the dew has played a big part (in the first two matches), obviously, in our advantage, batting second, it's been really nice to bat.
"If we have to bat first, I'm sure we'll chat about it after a couple of meetings after this conference and see what the best way to go about it. But yeah, the dew has definitely played a big part," he said.
Meanwhile, South African team manager informed in the pre-match presser that pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi have undergone scans this morning. Both Burger and De Zorzi had to walk off the field with injuries during the second ODI.
"Pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony De Zorzi have gone for scans after limping off during the 2nd ODI in Raipur. Their continued availability will be decided depending on the results," the manager said.
(With PTI Inputs)
