South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
The Proteas Predicted XI could witness a surprise inclusion. Photo Credit: Getty Images. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

With the culmination of the five-day format which offered a lot on the field – it’s time to witness the riveting 50-over format between the two giant forces of the world cricket in the form of South Africa and India that notably boasts about the splendid performances from time-to-time and to discuss the Proteas predicted XI we would also shed light on the piece of history as well.

The first One-day International of the six-match series will be beginning on Thursday (February 1) at Kingsmead in Durban, as both exciting units would be aiming to deliver while banking on the strength in respective ways.

The shorter version of the game would further see both teams wrestling it out with South Africa maintaining the number-one position in the ICC ODI rankings while collecting 120 rating points with Virat Kohli-led India just a point away to match the points.

The exclusion of batting mainstay AB de Villiers would further see the middle-order of the Proteas being tested by Indian bowling attack.

As the Kingsmead surface is expected to be full of runs, the Faf du Plessis-led Proteas has inducted the batsmen who could change the complexion of the game while scoring at the brisk pace and equally register partnerships.

Seemingly, the well-oiled South African skipper has not plenty on an offer when it comes to the squad strength it would be an easy option to go through the selection process which includes the several specialists who have had been delivering for the team of late.

The Proteas might have edge over India in the ODIs which saw the hosts winning 21 out of 28 fixtures as India registered five wins on the South African soil.

However, in overall 77 matches, South Africa won 45 matches as India has bagged 29 victories and three ended on no result.

Proteas will be looking forward to maintain the top ranking on the ODI charts with promising youngster Khaya Zondo might be introduced in the opener much to our expectations as all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo alongside the left-arm slow-bowler Tabraiz Shamsi might be warming the bench.

Here is the probable playing XI of the Proteas for the first ODI at Kingsmead:

Faf du Plessis: (Skipper)

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Faf du Plessis could make or break in the middle-order. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The 33-year-old middle-order batsman has a massive role on his shoulders apart from stepping up in the middle-order line-up against second-ranked India which has been utilizing the resources well.

The right-handed batsman du Plessis has eight ODI hundreds and 29 fifties in his 116 matches, as the Pretoria-based batsman would want to continue the domination in the day-long format.

Du Plessis would want to pace up the innings in the middle and have the additional responsibility to fill the void left by the finger injury of AB de Villiers.

Hashim Amla:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Onus would be on batting hero Hashim Amla. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The right-handed batsman Hashim Amla has been the force to reckon for South Africa across format and he has cherished to don the coloured jersey while scoring runs at will.

The top-order batsman Amla has been exceptional with the bat which saw him scoring at the average of 51.25 in 158 matches so far.

The prominent face of the Proteas line-up has further made things miserable for the bowlers with his brilliant display and he is the batsman who could pick the spinners well than any other hosts’ batters.

Quinton de Kock (Gloveman):

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Quinton de Kock likes to go over the top. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The fearless wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock might have struggled in the recently concluded three-match Sunfoil Test series, but he has the knack of making the return in a fine fashion.

The 25-year-old southpaw de Kock has had a merry-run against India in limited-overs cricket in particular.

Known for his brilliance in the 50-over format, de Kock has so far 13 hundreds under his belt and has the experience on his back while featuring in 88 ODIs.

Aiden Markram:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Aiden Markram would be aiming to deliver in the impending ODI series. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The opening batsman Aiden Markram, who has just played a solitary ODI fixture which came against Bangladesh in October 2017, is believed to be slotted in the middle-order.

The 25-year-old right-handed batsman Markram has further impressed the Cricket South Africa (CSA) with his batting prowess in the domestic fold before smelling the leather in the top-flight cricket.

Khaya Zondo:

SA vs IND 2018, 1st ODI, Durban: South Africa's Predicted XI
Predicted XI Proteas: Khaya Zondo could break into the playing XI. Photo Credit: Gallo Images.

The 27-year-old middle-order batsman is expected to come in place of AB de Villiers as the middle order batsman is capable of rotating the strike and pace up the innings according to the situation would be demanding.

Zondo, who is representing Dolphins in the domestic circuit has scored runs recently to push his case which saw him landing in the national dressing room.

David Miller:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: David Miller has been exceptional with a bat, Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Known more for pyrotechnics, Miller has been featuring for the Proteas national team on the regular basis.

However, the 28-year-old left-handed batsman Miller played his previous international game against Bangladesh at Potchefstroom where he blasted off 36-ball hundred which was equalled by Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in Mohali in December 2017

Jean-Paul Duminy:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Jean-Paul Duminy wants to give his best. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The batting allrounder JP Duminy has been inducted in the squad as he known what it takes to deliver for the side which has been boasting about its fielding.

The left-handed batsman Duminy would be aiming to score runs and leave a significant impact.

Having the quality experience on his back, Duminy has been representing the domestic side Cape Cobras which saw him been delivering both with the bat and a ball respectively.

Imran Tahir:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Imran Tahir has would face a stern test against India. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The 38-year-old leg-spinner Imran Tahir is expected to be a key for South Africa in order to contain the Indian batting line which is known for flaying the top-notch bowling attack.

The Lahore-born slow-bowler Tahir has enjoyed the limited-overs success which saw him bagging 138 wickets in 88 ODI matches.

Morne Morkel:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Morne Morkel will team-up with Kagiso Rabada. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The lanky fast bowler Morne Morkel is the senior campaigner in the bowling line-up and he has to give inputs to his juniors and he is ready to test the Indian batting line-up which has been significant when it comes to donning the colours.

Chris Morris:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Predicted XI Proteas: Morris would be focusing on his bowling. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The bowling allrounder Chris Morris has been working hard which further saw him struggling in between and he would be giving his best in the 50-over format while being the great learner of the game.

Lungi Ngidi:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Lungi Ngidi could be in action straight away. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Miles to go ahead, but the 21-year-old fast bowler is an interesting edition in the Proteas fold which already saw him representing the national side in two Tests and three T20Is.

The right-arm bowler Ngidi would be aiming to bend his back and eye for making most out of the efforts he puts in.

The battle between the promising bowler and Team India skipper Virat Kohli would be an interesting phase to watch out for.

Kagiso Rabada:

South Africa Vs India 2018, Durban ODI, Proteas Predicted XI, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers
Kagiso Rabada would want to continue his form. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The speedster Kagiso Rabada has been phenomenal for the Proteas which subsequently saw him playing 43 ODIs in which he bagged 70 wickets at an average of 26.08 as he has also a five-wicket haul under his best.

Rabada is expecting to emulate his Test performance in particular.

Follow RSA vs IND limited-overs series here: South Africa Vs India, 2018

Tahir Ibn Manzoor is the Editor-In-Chief at Cricket Addictor, who follows cricket like food and he has a great affection for the long-form journalism. He has been associated with the organisation since...