SA vs IND, 2018: 6th ODI, Centurion – India’s Predicted XI

With the series done and dusted, India now has the opportunity to test out its bench strength in the final One-day International at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday (February). The visitors created history by clinching their maiden bilateral series on the South African soil.

The Virat Kohli-led side intends to display its ruthlessness in the final ODI.

Having said that, few wholesale changes in the eleven is in order with the number of personnel sitting out throughout the series.

Also, it would provide some adequate rest to the key players, looking at the upcoming Twenty20 International series slated to kick off on Sunday (February 18).

Here’s the predicted XI of India for Centurion dead-rubber:

Top Order:

Ajinkya Rahane:

This may be unfair to Jinx but for the sake of balance in the lineup, Ajinkya Rahane might have to open the innings with Rohit Sharma. Therefore, it gives him an opportunity to play with freedom owing to the fielding restrictions on.

Rahane has been lately criticized for playing aerial strokes out of nowhere – to throw his wicket away. His tendency may come in handy during the powerplay overs.

Rohit Sharma:

Rohit Sharma resurrected his dismal South African tour with a dazzling century in Port Elizabeth. The opener might make use of the final ODI to improve his appalling average at the Rainbow nation.

With his Midas touch, back in his arsenal, the bowlers might be wary of potential danger in Rohit at Centurion.

Virat Kohli:

Ideally, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli should be rested with the amount of effort put in already on the tour to avoid burnout. But, looking at his statement at the post-match presentation in Port Elizabeth, it is a matter of certainty that he will play tomorrow.

Kohli intends to knock down hosts with a scoreline of 5-1, therefore, his zeal remains necessary to march his squad towards victory.

Middle order:

Manish Pandey:

With the dead rubber at Centurion in the context of the series, the management possibly would provide some game time to impressive Manish Pandey. This would give a much-needed solidarity to the Indian middle-order which has collapsed in the last three ODIs and has eventually been the cause of the concern for so long.

Indian batting line-up has looked frail in the middle. Perhaps, Pandey would have a statement or two to make with the amount of time he has been benched of late.

Shreyas Iyer:

Another name in the Indian squad who would want to make full use of the opportunity would be Shreyas Iyer.

The Mumbai-based batsman is just about finding his feet in the international arena. Iyer looked good in the two brief innings he has played in the series and dearly would want to convert his 20-30s into something substantial.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is just 33 shy to join ODI’s 10,000-run club. Dhoni would only be the fourth Indian to achieve the feat and eleventh overall.

MSD would join the league of extraordinary gentlemen such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara, and other notable batsmen.

The wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni’s feat is even more exceptional to others in the league as he would enter the club while batting at six throughout his career. The others in the 10K club have primarily played in the top order in their careers.

All Rounders

Hardik Pandya:

After scoring a golden duck, Hardik Pandya came back to take a couple of prized scalps, registered a direct hit which turned the tide for his side and pulled off a screaming one-handed catch- to show us exactly why he is an asset to the Indian team.

Pandya, after his sparkling knock at Newlands in the whites, has largely disappointed throughout the South African tour with both bat and ball. Ravi Shastri and Co have trusted his abilities for a long time now and the all-rounder has another opportunity to show why.

Axar Patel:

Axar Patel would handle the spin department in the absence of wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who should be rested after the prolific series.

With Patel, we are looking at depth in the batting order which would help India’s lower-order woes at the backend of the innings.

Without Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar might have to shoulder additional responsibility with both bat and a ball.

Bowlers:

Mohammed Shami

With series already decided, Mohammed Shami should ideally get some game time in the final ODI. This would provide the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar some break ahead of the T20I series. India has been blessed with a large reservoir of pace battery. Shami coming in as backup tells us a thing or two about the depth in Indian bowling presently.

Shardul Thakur:

Without the double B’s in the Indian line-up, paceman Shardul Thakur should get the go-ahead to handle the seam attack.

Both Shami and Thakur haven’t had the opportunity to break into India’s eleven in the presence of India’s premier limited overs bowler. This is now a golden opportunity for Shardul, who is still finding his feet in the International arena.

Yuzvendra Chahal

With Kuldeep rested, Chahal and Axar handle the spin department. The hearty leg-spinner now has the opportunity to trump Kuldeep Yadav (16) in the tally of the most number of wickets in the series. Both did the bulk of the job – to share 30 wickets in five games so far.

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