South Africa V India, 5th ODI: India's Predicted XI

The Men in Blue have been quite prolific in the ongoing 6 match series against the Proteas. However, they wasted their chances of winning their first ever bilateral series in South Africa in the 4^th ODI at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg as they went down against the hosts in a rain-curtailed encounter. Rain played to South Africa’s advantage and with a shortened target it is always easier to go after the bowlers not having the massive scoreboard pressure.

Their wrist spinners have been quite terrific in the first 3 ODI’s. Unfortunately, they were taken for runs in the 4^th encounter which kept the series alive. Despite the loss, they are unlikely to tinker with their combination too much barring a few here and there. So with the 5^th ODI still a day away let us have a look at India’s Predicted XI

Rohit Sharma

There is no doubt about the fact that Rohit Sharma is a limited overs legend already. To get 3 double centuries in ODI’s is no mere joke. Not a single batsmen have even a couple. However, he has been woefully out of runs in the tour of South Africa so far. But with Rohit especially in the limited overs, its just a game away from getting back to form and a big knock is just around the corner.

Shikhar Dhawan

The southpaw loves playing against the Proteas. He has a terrific record against them and even in the previous encounter, he scored a magnificent century to set the platform for India. He has been in good form all through the series and will look to continue his good run in the series even in the 4^th ODI.

Virat Kohli

There are no words to describe the mastery of this man who has been simply sensational across all 3 formats of the game. He has already smashed a couple of centuries in the series so far and will look to continue his rich vein of form. There was yet another century for the taking in the previous ODI. However, in a bid for quick runs, he sacrificed his wicket.

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane started off the series with a potentially match-winning knock along with Kohli. However, he hasn’t been in the best of touches in the last couple of matches. He is expected to retain his place given his experience and habit of scoring good in foreign conditions.

MS Dhoni

The wicket-keeper batsman and the former skipper hasn’t been at his best in the recent past especially with the bat. He hasn’t been the same old Dhoni who was associated with consistent power hitting. However, in a crisis situation, he is the man for the hour who still has the capability to play in crunch situations. The more startling aspect about his game is his fitness still at the age of 36.

Kedar Jadhav

Jadhav made way for Shreyas Iyer in the previous encounter. However Kedar’s ability to bowl in the middle overs, he might well return in the 5^th ODI. He is a sensational hitter of the ball but hasn’t got enough chances to unleash his skills.

Hardik Pandya 

It hasn’t been the ideal series for Pandya with either the ball or the bat. He hasn’t got going with the bat and even with the ball in hand, he has gone for runs. However, he has already made a reputation for himself in the shorter formats and is expected to play a role in the last couple of matches of the series.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

He has arguably been India’s best and most consistent bowler across formats in the recent times and has improved in the batting by leaps and bounds. He has given some valuable contributions lower down in the order. With the ball, he has the ability to bowl well both upfront and in the death overs. However, he hasn’t been in the best form in the ODI series so far as the conditions haven’t any sort of swing or lateral movement for the bowlers.

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman bowler has already bagged 12 wickets in this series so far and has consistently bamboozled South African batsmen. He went for a few runs in the previous ODI but still managed to bag a couple of wickets. The wet ball didn’t help but if conditions are not overcast Kuldeep will come again handy yet again.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah has been a sensational bowler in the limited overs format and even in the series he has bowled quite well despite not picking the wickets on a consistent basis. He has a huge variety of slower balls, faster ones, and the Yorkers. He has been a terrific death bowler for India and if they come under the pump Virat Kohli should start employing him rather than the wrist spinners.

Yuzvvendra Chahal

The leggie has been yet another top performer for the Men in Blue and has prized out 12 wickets in the series so far. He bagged his best ODI figures in the 2^nd ODI finishing with 5/22 and went on to bag 4 in the next encounter. However, he was smashed all around the park in Johannesburg as the tweaker went for 68 runs in just 6 overs.