SA vs IND: Match Preview, South Africa vs India 2022, 2nd ODI

South Africa took the early lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series after beating India by 31 runs in the first ODI on Wednesday. South Africa batted first in that game and notched a formidable 296-run total in the first innings. In reply, India could only manage to score 265 runs, falling 31 runs short of the target.

The second ODI is slated to be played on Friday at Boland Park in Paarl. Here’s a look at how the two teams shape up ahead of the much-anticipated clash.

SA vs IND: Match Preview, South Africa vs India 2022, 2nd ODI

India:

It was a disappointing outing for India in the first Test. Despite picking early wickets, India couldn’t pick wickets in the middle-overs and that led to their undoing. Spinners couldn’t pick wickets in the middle-overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t look too much threatening either. South Africa, as a result of that, posted a huge 296-run total on a slow wicket. Ahead of a must-win game on Friday, India should replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar with Mohammed Siraj.

The former has looked a shadow of his former self in the recent past and, perhaps, it’s that India should move on from the veteran pacer. Nevertheless, India were well in control of the chase till the time Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were there at the crease. However, once the duo departed, India failed to stitch partnerships.

The middle-order, once again, crumbled under pressure. Suryakumar Yadav missed out in the last game. His presence is important in the playing XI in a bid to strengthen that middle-order. India could accommodate Suryakumar Yadav in the playing XI to add a bit more firepower in the batting unit.

South Africa:

South Africa, on the other hand, would be pretty pleased with their performance in the first ODI. Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen’s centuries helped them score a winning total on the board.

They are unlikely to make any change in the batting department. Both Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi were effective during their spells. They bowled at great lengths and applied pressure from both ends.

It was Keshav Maharaj who broke the important partnership between Dhawan and Kohli as he sent the former back to the pavilion. Later, Shamsi picked the wicket of Virat Kohli to help South Africa take control of the game.

Aiden Markram too bowled six overs and took the wicket of KL Rahul. In all, South Africa made great use of the slowness of the surface. And, it tells you how important it was to win the toss on this surface.