Trailing the six-match series by 3-0, South Africa see a hope of bounce-back in the remaining ODIs as their star batsman AB de Villiers has returned to the squad. However, former India captain Sourav Ganguly firmly believes that De Villiers needs to do a Virat Kohli on his return to turn the fortunes around for the depleted hosts.
"There are three more games left in the series and the good news for South Africa is that AB de Villiers will be back, but his mere presence will not help the fortunes of his side. He has to do a Kohli for his team to turn its fortunes around," Ganguly wrote in his column for the Times of India.
De Villiers missed the first three games of the six-match series with a finger injury he sustained during the Wanderers Test. His inclusion was the only change to the existing squad.
However, a call on De Villiers' availability for the fourth match, to be held at the Wanderers on Saturday, will only be taken after he is assessed at Friday's practice.
De Villiers has scored 9,515 runs in 225 ODIs at an average of more than 54 and a strike rate of 101. He holds the record for the fastest century in the format, reaching the milestone off only 31 balls against the West Indies in 2015.
Losing De Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Quinton de Kock to injuries, South Africa suffered heavy defeats in the first three ODIs.Ganguly has reasoned poor selection behind South Africa's humiliation on their home soil. "The South Africans have had some selection issues which have surprised many," he said.
The former Southpaw batsmen opined that the Proteas will have to play Morne Morkel, Khaya Zondo and Andile Phehlukwayo in the remaining matches if they wish to make a comeback.
"Morne Morkel being left out on Wednesday raised some eyebrows, and he is a must in the next three games for them. Also, if Khaya Zondo and Phehlukwayo have to play for South Africa, they will have to raise their game more than what has been on display till now in the series. One has to deserve a place in an international side and at present that is not happening for them," Ganguly added.
