SA vs IND, 6th ODI: India bowl first, Shardul Thakur replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India won the toss and decided to field first in the sixth and final One-Day International at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The tourists have made one change to their playing eleven, bringing in Shardul Thakur for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

On the other hosts, the hosts have made four changes. The Proteas have recalled Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Khaya Zondo and Imran Tahir for the dead rubber.

Here is what the captains said:

Virat Kohli:

Bowling first. It’s a hard deck again. The new ball will be at play. We want to win, and we would like to challenge ourselves with a chase today. We want to ask our bowlers to chase something Shardul Thakur comes in and Bhuvneshwar has been rested.

Aiden Markram:

We weren’t too phased about what we were going to do today. We are striving towards putting a perfect game together. Definitely looking to get a good score and Centurion is a good batting wicket, so we are happy to bat and put a good score on the board. Four changes: Morris back in the team along with Behardein, Tahir, Zondo.

Preview:

With the series already decided, both the teams will be looking to end it on a high. The ongoing series will be followed by three T20Is. Both the teams will be eyeing the momentum.

India won the series by winning the fifth ODI by 73 runs in Port Elizabeth. With form and momentum on their side, the tourists will enter the game as firm favourites.

On the other hand, the beleaguered hosts will be desperate to turn around their fortunes. This was South Africa’s first bilateral series loss against India at home.

The Proteas will be desperate to win the impending game and salvage some pride.

Here is the playing elevens:

India:

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni(w), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

South Africa:

 Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram(c), AB de Villiers, Khaya Zondo, Farhaan Behardien, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Lungisani Ngidi