So, India has been kicked out of the T20 World Cup. Predictably, Dhoni is facing the flak from experts, media, former cricketers and, worse, the public. He has even apologised to the public after India lost to England.

The team now needs to focus on salvaging some pride by beating South Africa, which is looking like a champion side. As the Indians take the field, India will need to play like there is no tomorrow. That is the intensity that the team needs to show if it has to give South Africa a tough time.

I suspect the English strategy of sending Pietersen at number three is a smart one since the advantage of the fielding restrictions can be taken if the first wicket falls early. So Yuvraj at number three should do the trick. Raina at number four, followed by either Dhoni or Yusuf at five and six, depending on the situation. Dhoni has been vocal about his strategy of shuffling the bowlers so that the batsment don't get used to them. Why should that not apply to the batsmen too? Rohit Sharma has not fired as was expected of him. So, why should he not make place for either Yusuf or Raina?

Pathan could be a good bet at number three if a wicket falls early and India is looking for some quick runs. With the way he swings his bat, a 10-15 ball will be good to give India the early impetus while the fielding restrictions are on.

Johan Botha and van der Merwe will be very important bowlers that the Indians will need to counter. The manner in which spinners have held sway in this tournament, I suspect that these two could squeeze India further if the top order is founding wanting in the early stages. While Harbhajan and Pragyan are more in the classical mould, the unorthodox nature of Botha's bowling is what could be tough for India to handle. I would not expect Steyn or Kallis to bother the Indians as much as the possible threat of the 'spinners'.

The professional side that Proteas are, they will focus a lot on singles and the occasional big hits. It is more like an 11-man machine at work that will be on display. Making sure that their rhythm is broken will be the challenge for the bowlers.

During this edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, India has managed to beat Bangladesh and Ireland in the early group stage. Everyone remembers how the team had to huff and puff to put up a decent score against Bangladesh. And I don't think there is any member of the side who would rave about the victories against Bangladesh and Ireland. Keep statistics aside for a moment, and I would prefer not to count them as victories.

If India loses the last of the group matches against South Africa, it will be something that has not been seen in recent times. In my opinion, it will be comparable to India's 2007 and 1979 World Cup campaigns.

In the last World Cup in 2007, India were shocked by Bangladesh, beaten by Sri Lanka and they won comfortably against Bermuda. No one would care about that win, though.

It was worse in 1979 in England when India lost all the three group matches. SMH Kirmani had been dropped for that English tour for inexplicable reasons and Bharath Reddy was India's wicket keeper. India lost to West Indies by 9 wickets and carried on the bad form when they lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets. It was worse when Sri Lanka beat India by 47 runs. The Lankans, which were to get the ICC Test status only three years later, were helped by the trio of Sidath Wettimuny, the stylish Roy Dias and Duleep Mendis.

In today's popcorn version of the game called T20, anything's possible too. The game now gives instant joy, instant surprises, instant results and instant shock (of being thrown out of the tournament).

This team will bounce back. Not quite in an instant, though. Dhoni, hopefully, will be wiser after the mistakes that he has made.