SA vs India ODI series 2021, First ODI- Match Preview

After the completion of the Test series between India and South Africa, the focus now shifts to ODIs.

SA vs India ODI series 2021

After the completion of the Test series between India and South Africa, the focus now shifts to ODIs. The two teams are scheduled to take on each other in a three-match ODI series, starting from Wednesday. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul will lead the team, while Jasprit Bumrah will assume the vice-captaincy duties.

 

Virat Kohli won’t be captaining the team in any format but he remains an integral part of the team. He will be an important member in the middle-order, which also comprises Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.

 

Shikhar Dhawan is no longer in the scheme of things in T20 cricket as well as Test Cricket. However, consistent performances in ODIs have helped him retain his place in the team.

 

He is facing some stiff competition for his place with the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan. KL Rahul has confirmed that will be open the batting, which means that Gaikwad won’t be playing the first ODI.

 

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the bowling unit and is expected to share the fast bowling unit with the likes of M Siraj and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. As for spin, both Ashwin and Chahal are likely to make the cut.

 

South Africa, on the other hand, would be brimming with confidence after winning the Test series. There will be some different faces, though, in the ODIs. Janneman Malan has been the talk of the town. He has made a blistering start to his ODI, averaging over 80 in 11 ODIs.

 

Temba Bavuma will lead the side. He will be a key figure in the middle-order, which will also have the likes of Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen. They have a reason to rejoice now as they will also be powered by the return of Quinton de Kock in the squad.

 

The presence of all-rounders such as Dwayne Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo add depth to the batting unit. Also, it gives the team a lot more options in the pace department. Besides these two, the other fast bowling option they have is Marco Jansen as Kagiso Rabada has been rested.

 

Updated South Africa Squad for SA vs India ODI Series:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, George Linde, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.

 

India squad:  KL Rahul (Captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj, Jayant Yadav, Navdeep Saini