SA vs IND, 2018: 6th ODI, Centurion – Predicted XI South Africa

With the series already decided, host South Africa will look to boost their confidence ahead of the Twenty20 International series in Centurion on Friday. Further, India has already sealed the series to script history by winning their first bilateral series in the Rainbow Nation.

Meanwhile, South Africa failed as a batting unit as mentioned by their head coach Ottis Gibson. The batters failed to tackle India’s wrist-spinners. As a result, the duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed 30 wickets out of overall 43 wickets so far.

To add, the Proteas missed their regular skipper Faf du Plessis while AB de Villiers played from the fourth game. This series loss will come as a wake-up call to Cricket South Africa (CSA) ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup.

However, for South Africa, they have a lot to play. The youngsters need to step up on this occasion and play as the second-ranked ODI team.

Further, South Africa will play their sixth and the last match of the series at SuperSport Park on February 15.

Here is the predicted XI of South Africa for the sixth ODI:

Hashim Amla:

Hashim Amla is the only consistent player for South Africa so far in this series. He has looked good both in front of spinners and pacer; however, lacked support on the other end.

Amla tried to create resistance but ran out of partners in the last match as India won by 73 runs after struggling in previously held fixtures.

However, Amla will look to continue his job for his nation and be in good touch with important games coming up.

Aiden Markram (Captain):

Relatively new in the international circuit, Aiden Markram was bestowed with the captaincy responsibilities. Though he led his team to victory in the fourth ODI, however, he has underperformed with the bat.

Markram must be livid with himself for getting out after surviving in the initial phase. Markram needs to partner Amla and provide South Africa with a good start if they want to outclass South Africa.

JP Duminy:

The experienced all-rounder Jean-Paul Duminy had a poor series apart from the third game where he scored 51 runs.

With Faf already out due to a finger injury, the South African team management needs Duminy to deliver. However, he has failed to do so.

With South Africa playing for pride, Duminy has to play to his potential if South Africa wants to post a good score on board in the dead rubber.

AB de Villiers:

South Africa’s No. 1 player AB de Villiers has not found his form since returning from injury.

However, South Africa will need him to come good and dominate India’s wrist spinners.

For de Villiers, he will want to score some runs with the bat ahead of the three-match T20 series slated to kick off on February 18.

David Miller:

David Miller’s inconsistency with the bat has struck South Africa very badly. However, he showed some form scoring 39 and 36 runs in the last two matches.

Further, his team will need more runs from him in the middle-order to take his team to a good total.

Heinrich Klaasen (WK):

The young wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen who came in place of Quinton de Kock has shown a lot of courage and fizz in the previous two games.

While he took his team to victory in the fourth game, Klaasen lacked support in the last fixture.

As far as glovework is concerned, Klaasen has affected six dismissals. Further, his team will need another superlative effort from him to salvage some pride.

Chris Morris:

The tall and lanky all-rounder Chris Morris is a great prospect; however, he lacked consistency. Also, he didn’t get enough opportunities in a jam-packed South African team.

Meanwhile, this is the perfect time for Morris to prove his effort and cement his place in the team. For Morris, he will be steaming to make an everlasting mark for his team.

Kagiso Rabada:

The young speedster Kagiso Rabada has had a spectacular international career. With his pace and accurate line and length, Rabada has troubled batsmen all over the world.

Recently, ICC reprimanded Rabada for giving Shikhar Dhawan a send-off in the last match. However, Rabada will like to repeat his effort in the final fixture of ODI leg.

Andile Phehlukwayo:

South Africa will like to go in with an extra all-rounder given their failure as a batting unit. Andile Phehlukwayo is decent with both and ball and this is the perfect time for him to contribute.

Phehlukwayo had a poor series so far and will like to come in handy for the team in the last fixture of the ODI series.

Tabraiz Shamsi:

The Proteas has brought in Tabraiz Shamsi as the answer to India’s Kuldeep Yadav. However, he couldn’t bring South Africa to winning ways.

Meanwhile, cometh the last game, Shamsi has to come good to keep a spot in the first XI.

Lungi Ngidi:

The young fast-bowler Lungi Ngidi, who made his Test debut against India has grabbed the headlines since then.

Meanwhile, he broke into South Africa’s ODI squad and performed exceedingly well well. He has bagged six wickets in three games so far including a four-for.

Ngidi needs to come good once more and help his team finish the series on a high.

Further, here is the newsfeed:

Sourav Ganguly says India can be unbeatable ‘anywhere’

ICC rates Mirpur Pitch as ‘below average’