SA vs IND 2018, 2nd ODI, Centurion: India's Predicted Eleven

Following the win in the last Test in Johannesburg, India continued its fine form by winning the first ODI comprehensively in Durban.

It was a clinical performance from the Men in Blue, as they did not allow South Africa to break the shackles with the bat before chasing down the total comfortably.

At 83 for one, the Proteas were looking good to post a big score. However, India’s spinners brought them right back in the game by taking four quick wickets to reduce the hosts to 134 for five. Faf du Plessis remained firm from one end, scoring a brilliant ton to guide his team to a competitive total of 269 for eight.

In reply, India rode on skipper Virat Kohli’s brilliant knock of 112 and Ajinkya Rahane’s excellent 79 to chase down the total inside 46 overs and go one nil up in the six-match series. The visitors will be looking to continue their form in the upcoming second ODI too, scheduled to be played in Centurion on Sunday (February 4).

So here we are taking a look at the playing eleven which India could field in the second game: 

1. Rohit Sharma:

After a forgettable Test series, Rohit Sharma will be desperate to get into the groove in the upcoming ODI. The right-handed batsman had got the start in the previous game, hitting a couple of fours and a six to race away to 20 before being dismissed by Morne Morkel.

2. Shikhar Dhawan:

Just like his opening partner, Dhawan, who too had a poor Test series, got the start in Durban and was looking set for a big score.

However, a misunderstanding with skipper Virat Kohli saw his promising 35-run knock coming to an end with a run-out. He too will be desperate to get some runs under his belt in the upcoming game.

3. Virat Kohli (c):

The best ODI batsman in the world once again proved his worth, scoring a majestic 112 to lead his team to a stunning win.

Kohli came out to bat when India lost Rohit for just 30 runs and stayed till the very end to ensure the Men in Blue continue their momentum in the African nation following the win in the third and last Test.

4. Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane coming out to bat at number four further showed the spot is still up for grabs and the way the Mumbai star batted, he can well end the team’s long and painful search for a batsman for that spot.

The right-handed batsman scored a brilliant 79, adding a record 189 runs with skipper Kohli to guide the team to a memorable win.

5. Hardik Pandya:

Since the 93-run knock in the first Test, the India all-rounder has not quite managed to live up to the expectations on tour. In the series opener, he went wicketless in his seven overs and did not have much to do when he came out to bat.

6. MS Dhoni (wk):

The former India skipper also did not have much to do both with the wicketkeeping gloves as well as the bat.

7. Kedar Jadhav:

Virat Kohli used him for three overs but without any success, as the part-time bowler ended up conceding 19 runs without taking any wicket. He also could not come out to bat and will be looking to make an impact in the upcoming game.

8. Kuldeep Yadav:

The chinaman spinner further enhanced his reputation by starring with the ball for the Men in Blue. He dismissed JP Duminy and David Miller cheaply before ending the dangerous 74-run stand between Faf du Plessis and Chris Morris by dismissing the latter to put India on top.

He finished the game with excellent figures of three for 34 from his quota of ten overs.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

After a brilliant display in the Test series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a tough outing in Durban. Unlike his fellow bowlers, who conceded less than six, the right-arm pacer ended up conceding 71 runs off his ten overs. Will be desperate to bounce back in the forthcoming game.

10. Yuzvendra Chahal:

Just like his spin partner, Chahal also had a brilliant game, finishing with impressive figures of two for 45. He was the one who gave India the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Quinton de Kock when the Proteas were comfortably placed at 83 for one.

11. Jasprit Bumrah:

After an impressive Test series, Bumrah had a decent start to the ODIs. He gave India the first breakthrough by dismissing Hashim Amla cheaply which remained his only wicket in the game, as he finished with one for 56 off his ten overs.