SA vs IND 2018, 1st ODI, Durban: India's Predicted XI

India might have lost the Test series by a margin of 2-1, but one must not underestimate the visitor’s potency in white ball cricket. Even though the men in blue top the charts in the Test format, many consider that it is in the limited-over format where India carry their stronger suit.

South Africa, on the other hand, top the ODI charts marginally with a lead of a point over the Indians. Therefore, it is yet again a clash of the number one in the world locking horns with the second-placed side. Only the arrangements have been reversed with the change in format. If the action in the past month is just a prelude to what is to come, then brace yourselves for the next month as the Indians have nine games to get even with the Proteans for the Test loss. (6ODIs and 3T20Is)

With the change in format, there exists change in personnel for either team. Which means the likes of MS Dhoni, Jadhav, Chahal, Miller, JP Duminy appear into the equation.With the win in Johannesburg, the morale of the Indian team would be sky high, which makes Kohli’s men even more formidable after a dismal start to their tour.

Here’s the expected Playing XI for the Indian team – to field in the first ODI at Durban

Shikhar Dhawan

One of the cricketers from the Indian squad who would have a point or two prove in the ODI and T20I series would be Shikhar Dhawan as he was left out of the XI post his dismal show on a challenging Cape Town wicket. Dhawan had a good series against Sri Lanka at home last year in December where he notched up an unbeaten century in the final ODI after a quickfire 68 in the second ODI.

However, playing South Africa in their own backyard is a different proposition altogether and knowing Dhawan’s affinity towards white-ball cricket, the southpaw would be up to the task. Especially, being fully aware of the quality in the bench by name of Ajinkya Rahane playing the role of a stand-by opener, who is technically superior to Dhawan.

Rohit Sharma

A lot has been said about Rohit Sharma’s place in the Test arena off-late after failing to impress in the 3-match Test series. Like Dhawan, India’s vice-captain in coloured clothing would have a point or to prove. Rohit is fresh off his epic third double century in ODIs and second T20I century against Sri Lanka.

The tried and tested opening pair of Dhawan and Rohit would hold the key to the outcome of the series as India struggled to get off to a half-decent in the tour until now. The premier task of the openers in the series would be to shield the middle order with the new ball and lay a solid foundation for them to express themselves during the latter stages of the innings.

Virat Kohli

The Modern Master of ODI cricket, Indian captain Virat Kohli, comes back to the grinds of limited-overs cricket after opting out of all six matches of the Sri Lankan series. Kohli smashed successive tons against New Zealand in the second and third ODI which helped India seal the series at 2-1.

The captain would have his task cut out to lay solid foundations in case the team loses early wickets. The other important aspect is his captaincy. Kohli has to be proactive with his selections and bowling changes in order to challenge the hosts. Yet again Kohli has to be in tandem with MS Dhoni due to his relative inexperience as far as captaincy on overseas tours is concerned.

Shreyas Iyer

Even though captain Kohli would be tempted to play Rahane at the number 4 slot looking at the conditions, Shreyas Iyer has done well in the limited opportunities provided to him. He gained recognition through a couple of half-centuries against Sri Lanka in the last two ODIs of the series.

Unfortunately, the likes of Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik might have to sit out as the think tank would want to invest in young Iyer at the much talked about number four slot in the batting order. However, VK might come up with an interesting selection and we might see Rahane take the guard at two down to strengthen the top order.

MS Dhoni

With the start of the limited-overs leg of the tour, fans would be glued to the televisions screens in order to see MS Dhoni back in action behind the stumps as well as in the middle order with the bat. Interestingly, he is only a 102 runs away to reach the legendary 10,000 runs mark in ODI cricket.

Dhoni has been in fine form with the bat, especially whenever the team is at peril, losing wickets in clumps. The knocks at Mohali, Chennai and Pallekele against Sri Lanka, Australia, is a prime example of the statement above. Yet again, for the nth time, the onus would be on MSD for the final flourishes at the backend of the innings along with Jadhav and Pandya.

Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav over the past 18-months has been a constant in the Indian team due to Kohli’s affinity to play him lower down the order. The pocket-size dynamite would look to bring out his vicious cuts and pulls square of the wicket, looking at the hard bouncy pitches.

Also, the fact that Jadhav has the knack of breaking partnership due to his low-side on action might prove handy for the captain and increase his utility in the team.

Hardik Pandya

With India on South African soil, the role of Pandya becomes pivotal in India’s chances of competing against South Africa. Yet again, he would take over as the floater in the Indian batting line-up. Depending on the situation, his position will be decided by Ravi Shastri and co.

Kohli would bank on Pandya to bowl at least a minimum of 6-8 overs in the middle without leaking many. Pandya found his feet in International cricket in the series against Australia but his performances eventually tapered off since then.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel plays at a tricky position for India tomorrow as the selection of the number 10 bowler in the world would be entirely dependent on the conditions presented to the visitors tomorrow at Kingsmead, Durban.

If the pitch assists spin bowling even a bit, Axar walks into the Indian team looking at his all-around skills. However, if the pitch offers assistance to pace bowling, Mohammed Shami may get the nod ahead of the Axar.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Over the last 12 months, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not only developed himself as India’s premier seam bowler in ODIs and T20Is but also his batting prowesses lower down the order.

Bhuvi yet again would hold the key with new ball during the death. India would also expect him to chip in with handy contributions down the order, much like in the Test series.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Irrespective of the condition at Kingsmead, a quality bowler such as Chahal would walk into the XI, especially looking at South Africa’s fragility against spin in the absence of their talismanic batsman AB de Villiers in the first three matches of the series.

Chahal has grown leaps and bounds in International cricket since the Champions Trophy in England, as he replaced the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja when it comes to the spin department in coloured clothing for India.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah, currently placed beneath only Tahir and Boult in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers, would yet again look to showcase his skills at the death and also with the new ball, and hold the key for an Indian success in the series especially looking at his current form.

Bumrah picked a whopping 14 wickets in his debut Test series, which included names such as Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock.