India had lost the Test series against South Africa 1-2. But their determined performance in third test showed that Virat Kohli and Company could win in any situation and condition. India has to play the six-match ODI match ODI series against South Africa, the first ODI to be played on February 1. With the return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in ODI format, the Indian team will definitely get a lot of strength. India vs South Africa 1st ODI
When @msdhoni has a go at the nets #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/ex3mTby1Gb
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2018
A resurgent Indian team will look to over turn their poor ODI performance at the Proteas land. South Africa are on top of the lCC ODI rankings by a slight difference of one point from India. South African coach Ottis Gibson is more focussed on long-term goal of winning the 2019 world cup than the rankings.
“We’re the number one team at the moment but that doesn’t mean a lot leading up to a World Cup,” said Gibson.
“Winning isn’t the be-all and end-all at this stage. There is a fine line and we will try and ensure that whatever team we pick has an equal chance of winning. But we have a goal and a vision leading up to the World Cup. And we want to expose as many players as possible.” Gibson added.
India will look to win their first-ever bilateral ODI series on South African soil. India’s record is not so impressive in South Africa. In 28 meetings since 1992-93, the Proteas have won 21 matches, while India have only won five.
South Africa enjoys a rich history at Kingsmead stadium in Durban against India. Out of the seven matches the two teams have played, the hosts have won six times.
The series will also feature Six batsmen who are in the list of top 10 ODI batsman rankings. Virat Kohli(Rank 1), AB De Villiers(Rank 2), Rohit Sharma(Rank 4), Quinton De Kock(Rank 6), Faf Du Plessis(Rank 9) and Hashim Amla(Rank 10).
India will have great chance of over-turning the results with AB De Villiers injury. The middle order batsmen can play the role of finisher as well as he can stable the innings if team is strucked by early blows. South Africa have to find his replacement for starting three ODIs against India. India vs South Africa 1st ODI
India vs South Africa 1st ODI : Squads
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaya Zondo.
India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Shreyas Iyer, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur.
