SA vs IND: Match Preview, South Africa vs India 2022, 1st ODI

The Test series between India and South Africa is done and dusted and the focus now shifts to the three-match ODI series, scheduled to take place from 19th January 2022 and 23rd January 2022.

The first one-day international is slated to take place on 19th January 2022 at Boland Park, Paarl. Here’s a look at how the two teams shape up ahead of an important series.

SA vs IND: Match Preview, South Africa vs India 2022, 1st ODI

India:

Prior to the start of the Test series, India were tipped to be the favourites to win the series. Despite winning the first Test, they lost the series by a 2-1 margin. Nevertheless, they should forget what happened in the past and focus on what’s ahead.

There is some bad news, to begin with. Virat Kohli has been sacked from the leadership duties in one-day internationals, while the newly appointed captain, Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. Bu the good news is that you have KL Rahul, who is appointed as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team for the series, while Jasprit Bumrah will assume the vice-captain duties.

Interestingly, Virat Kohli will be playing as a player and not as a captain for the first time in four years. He might have not scored a hundred for a long time but his recent record in ODIs isn’t too bad. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the series with the bat.

With Rohit Sharma not in the team, KL Rahul might come at the top of the order. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has shown great form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy isn’t likely to make the cut, at least for the first ODI.

Also, it will be interesting to see how many bowlers they got with. Ideally, it should be three seamers, one all-rounder, and two spinners.

As for the spin, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal both are likely to be part of the playing XI. The last time India played an ODI series in South Africa in 2018, Chahal wreaked havoc with the ball.

Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace department. The other two options in the pace department will most probably be Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa:

After winning the Test series, South Africa would be brimming with confidence. And now, their eyes would be firm on the series win in ODIs. Temba Bavuma is the captain of South Africa’s new team.

He has shown great form during the Test series and would look to carry that form in ODIs as well. Quinton de Kock, who recently announced his retirement from the Test series, will make his comeback in the ODIs.

However, the one to look out for in the batting department will be Janneman Malan. He has impressed one and all with his batting exploits since making his debut in November 2021. In 11 ODIs, he has managed to score 661 runs at an average of 82.6.

Kagiso Rabada will lead the pace attack. Marco Jansen, who finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the series, might get the nod ahead of Lungi Ngidi. As for the spin, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj will be the big bets.