NAGPUR, MARCH 18: A capacity crowd at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) ground is in for a Holi-eve run-feast as India, 3-1 up in the five-match series, take on South Africa.The VCA track has not been kind to the team batting second. Five of the nine One-Day Internationals (ODIs) here have been won by the side batting first. And seven of the nine matches has seen the side batting first getting over 200 runs on the board. Curator Dilip Thool believes bowlers should enjoy some early morning advantage before batsmen deicate terms.Luck, thus, could be a crucial factor. And skipper Saurav Ganguly must be hoping the law of averages work in his favour after losing all the four tosses in the series.Openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs - he had scored a century in each innings in a three-day match on his last tour, all-rounder Jacques Kallis, Nicky Boje and skipper Hansie Cronje have all been in good touch. And though the series has been pocketed by India, the visitors would like to reduce the margin of defeat by winning the final ODI.Sealing the fate of the series gives India the opportunity to press their bench strength - an indication to the effect coming from the Indian skipper himself. Off-spinner Nikhil Chopra looks almost certain to get a look-in.PTI adds: India have played in seven out of nine previous ODIs held at this venue and won four of these. India's wins here have been against England (by three wickets in 1985), New Zealand (by 9 wickets in 1987), Sri Lanka (twice - by 19 runs in 1990 and by 80 runs in 1999).The hosts have also suffered three losses - by 41 runs to Pakistan in 1987, by 10 runs to West Indies in 1987 and by 99 runs to New Zealand in 1995.The head-to-head confrontation between India and South Africa stands at 12 wins as against 21 losses for the home team out of 34 ties (one ended in no result).Teams:India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Sunil Joshi, Nikhil Chopra, Javagal Srinath, Saba Karim (wk), Ajit Agarkar, Mohammad Kaif, Anil Kumble and S SriramSouth Africa: Hansie Cronje (capt), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher (wk), Derek Crookes, Pieter Strydom, Steve Elworthy, Dale Benkenstein, Henry Williams, Nantie HaywardUmpires: S K Bansal (Delhi) and Francis Gomes (Bengal).Third umpire: S K Porelmm.Match referee: Raman Subba Row (England).Hours of play: 9 am to 12.30 pm, 1.15 pm to 4.45 pm.Telecast: Live on Doodarshan
