India vs South Africa: India's ODI Squad vs South Africa (Predicted)

Following the Annual General Meeting conducted on Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that India’s tour of South Africa will go ahead with revised schedule dates and the itinerary. In a mutual agreement with both the boards, India and South Africa will now participate in three Tests and as many ODIs. As per the original schedule, the two teams were also expected to play four T20 internationals. However, it has been learned that those four games will be played later.

The first of three Tests will start from 26^th December 2021 in Centurion. The second and the third Test will begin from 3^rd and 11 or 12^th January respectively. The three Tests will be followed by three One-Day Internationals. All three games will be played in Cape Town.

It is pertinent to note that India last played a one-day international series against England at home. India also played a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka but it was a second-string Indian side. Against England, India won the three-match ODI series by a 2-1 margin. In this article, here’s a look at our predicted India’s 15-man squad for the ODI series against South Africa.

India vs South Africa: India’s ODI Squad vs South Africa (Predicted)

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the captain of India’s T20 team. However, in ODIs, he will assume the vice-captaincy duties. Rohit Sharma has been stellar form across formats. He will once again hold key to India’s fortune in the ODI series. In the last ODI series against England, Rohit Sharma scored 90 runs in 3 matches at an average of 30.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

India’s veteran batsman, Shikhar Dhawan is no longer a part of the India team in the T20 and Test format. However, he is still a vital cog in the 50-over cricket team. Dhawan was outstanding in the ODI series against England. In 3 matches, he managed to score 169 runs at an average of 56.33. He scored two half-centuries as well in the series.

3. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has stepped down from captaincy in the T20 format and still continues to lead the side in the other two formats. Kohli will be leading the team in the three-match ODI series in South Africa. Virat Kohli was in sensational form when India visited South Africa last time in 2018. He was the highest run-scorer in the ODI series.

In six ODIs, Kohli scored 558 runs in 6 matches at an average of 186. The Indian skipper, however, hasn’t been in that kind of form, of late. It will be interesting to see how he fares with the bat in South Africa.

4. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer recently made his Test debut for India in the first Test against New Zealand. He has now represented the nation in all three formats. For Iyer to cement his position in the Indian team, he needs to turn up with outstanding performances in every series he plays from here on.

Iyer was part of India’s team in the ODI series against England. He, however, played only one match out of three. Iyer would be hoping that he gets more opportunities in South Africa.

5. KL Rahul

India’s newly appointed vice-captain of the T20 team, KL Rahul has been in sensational form. He has been scoring runs consistently across formats. KL Rahul was the highest run-scorer for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. In the ODI series against England, he scored 177 runs in 3 matches, including a sensational ton.

6. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant should don the gloves for the ODI series against South Africa. Consistent performances at the big stage has helped him become a regular member of the Indian Cricket Team in all three formats. He played two matches against England and scored 155 runs at an average of 77.50. In seaming conditions in South Africa, Rishabh Pant will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

7. Shardul Thakur

With Hardik Pandya not fully fit, Shardul Thakur is likely to get the nod for the ODI series against South Africa. Keeping in mind his all-around potential with both bat and ball, Thakur is likely to play a key role in the series. The Indian all-rounder ran through England’s batting lineup in the ODI series. He picked 7 wickets with the ball in 3 ODIs at an average of 22.57.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

There is no denying that Bhuvneshwar Kumar isn’t the bowler that he used to be. He has lost his pace and swing to some extent as well. However, the management has put faith in his abilities. He was part of India’s squad for the T20 series and is expected to be part of the ODI squad in South Africa. The seaming conditions in South Africa is likely to help Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He should perform well for the team.

9. Mohammed Shami

The Indian seamer is likely to play a big role in South Africa across formats. He will be an integral cog in the fast bowling department. Shami didn’t have a great outing in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and was also rested in the T20 series against New Zealand. He would be looking to make a good comeback in the ODI series against the Proteas.

10. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace-bowling unit for India in the ODI series against South Africa. He has been rested for the series against New Zealand. Bumrah was exceptional during his first tour of South Africa in 2018. He picked the most wickets among all the fast bowlers in the ODI series. In 6 ODIs, he managed to pick 16 wickets at an average of 16.38.

11. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja should make the cut for the ODI series against South Africa. He has improved his batting by leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. Jadeja has exhibited several telling performances with the bat while batting lower down the order in white-ball cricket. Jadeja wasn’t part of India’s squad during the ODI series against England. He would look to make a solid comeback against South Africa.

12. Yuzvendra Chahal

The last time when India visited South Africa for an ODI series, Yuzvendra Chahal picked the second most number of wickets, claiming 16 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 16.38. Chahal was dropped from India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2021.

However, he made his way back into the side in the T20 series against New Zealand. He is likely to be the first choice spinner for India against South Africa.

13. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav made his debut during India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka. He was the second-highest run-scorer for the team, managing 124 runs in 3 matches at an average of 62.00. Given how he has been performing for India in T20 cricket, the management would be tempted to make Surykamar Yadav a regular in ODI cricket as well.

14. Venkatesh Iyer

With Hardik Pandya not fully fit, Venkatesh Iyer might receive his maiden ODI call-up ahead of the series against South Africa. Iyer recently made his India debut in the T20 series against New Zealand. He got to bat in all three games and also bowled three overs in the last T20I. Iyer picked 1 wicket for 12 runs. In the same match, he scored 20 runs off 15 balls, including a four and a six.

15. Mohammed Siraj

Given how he has been bowling for India in Test, the management should be tempted to add him in the other two formats as well. Siraj has the pace and seam to trouble the batsmen in South Africa. He should be a vital addition in India’s squad for the ODI series against South Africa. Siraj has played only one ODI so far in his career. He is yet to pick a wicket in the ODIs.