IND vs SA ODI: 5 Indian Players To Watch Out For

After losing the Test series, India are gearing up for the three-match ODI series against South Africa. The IND vs SA ODI series will witness 3 games. The first two ODIs (January 19, 21) will be played at Boland Park in Paarl. South Africa recently defeated India in the Test series 2-1, a series defeat which saw Virat Kohli stepping down as India’s Test captain to shock the cricketing world.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul will lead the Indian team in the ODI series in the absence of newly-appointed skipper Rohit Sharma. Rohit is likely to return in the home series against West Indies However, this series presents an opportunity for many youngsters to cement their spots in the Indian ODI side. In this article, we will take a look at 5 Indian players to watch out for in the IND vs SA ODI series.

IND vs SA ODI: 5 Indian Players To Watch Out For

Virat Kohli

With no pressure of captaincy, Virat Kohli can now entirely focus on his batting. How he approaches the ODI series against South Africa will be an interesting observation. He scored 558 runs at an average of 186.00 and a striker rate touching nearly 100 the last time India toured South Africa in 2018. He scored three centuries as well the last time around.

Also Read: 3 Records Set By Virat Kohli As Indian Test Captain Which Will Be Difficult To Break

KL Rahul

This is Rahul’s first series as India’s ODI captain. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, he will have the added responsibility of leading the team besides focusing on getting runs. Rahul scored a century in the Test series and then lost his form completely. He bagged a few low scored to end the Test series on a forgetful note.

Heading into the IND vs SA ODI series as captain, Rahul will look to turn the tables and get into consistent scoring form. He is seen as a future captain across formats. He led the Indian team in the second Test which India lost. He would like to start off his ODI captaincy stint on a winning note.

Also Read: IND vs SA ODI: 3 Indian Players Who Might Play Every Match Of The Series

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan would like to keep his hopes of making it to the ICC World Cup 2023 squad by getting runs in the Test series. He has not been a regular member of the team’s white-ball outfit off late. He is already not playing Test cricket anymore. With a T20 World Cup to follow later this year and the 50-over World Cup next year, it is imperative that Dhawan scores run.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah has been assigned the role of the vice-captain for the upcoming IND vs SA ODI series. He ended with 12 wickets in the series and would like to add to the wickets tally in the ODI series as well.

“For me, I am ready to contribute in whatever position whatever way I can to the team. If given an opportunity, of course you would think about it but that’s something that I don’t chase. I like to do my work however I can contribute. Having a post or not doesn’t really matter. Whatever contribution you can give, I try to do that” said Bumrah on assuming the role of vice-captain for the series.

Also Read: IND vs SA ODI: 5 Indian Players Who Can Win The Man Of The Series

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin has been recalled into the Indian ODI squad for the first time since 2017. He was a part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. Good performances in that tournament made the selectors think about giving him an opportunity in the ODI series. Being the senior spinner in the team, it will be interesting to see how he responds to the challenge. He picked up just 3 wickets in the Test series where the spinners hardly had a role to play.

Also Read: Harbhajan Singh Pinpoints At Glaring Problem For India Ahead Of Sri Lanka Test Series