IND vs SA: 3 Indian Players Who Can Make Their ODI Debut In The Series vs South Africa

India take on South Africa in a white-ball series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs starting with the first T20I on September 28 in Thiruvananthapuram. The next two T20Is will be played on October 2 and October 4 in Guwahati and Indore. The series then moves onto the three ODIs on October 6, 9 and 11 in Lucknow, Ranchi and Delhi respectively.

Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa has already announced their squads which will be led by Temba Bavuma who has recovered from a left elbow injury, that he suffered during the five-match T20I series against Team India in June. He will be also leading the side in the T20 World Cup in Australia.

The BCCI is yet to announce the squad for the South Africa series. India’s T20 World Cup squad will be announced before the series starts and thus the World Cup-bound players will be rested from the ODI series. Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side in the ODI series against the Proteas. 

“Yes, it is not ideal to have an ODI series before T20 World Cup. But that is how it goes sometimes. Rohit, Virat and all T20 World Cup-bound players will be rested from the ODI series. They will get a short break before departing for Australia. Shikhar will lead the side,” a senior BCCI told ANI. 

With the senior players rested, the selectors can try out a few players who are yet to make their ODI debut for India. In this article, we take a look at three players who can make their ODI debut in the series against South Africa. 

IND vs SA: 3 Indian Players Who Can Make Their ODI Debut In The Series vs South Africa

1) Rahul Tripathi 

Tripathi has been a consistent scorer in the IPL for the various franchises he has played for. In fact, he has the most runs in the IPL for an uncapped player. He joined Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022 and scored 413 runs with two fifty-plus scores. He is a busy player and likes to keep the scoreboard moving. He also gives the team a lot of flexibility as he can open the batting and can also bat in the middle-order. He is also a brilliant fielder which adds to his importance in the team. 

Also Read: IND vs SA: 3 Indian Players Who Can Make Their T20I Debut vs South Africa

2) Tilak Varma 

Tilak Varma scored 397 in 14 games for Mumbai Indians in his very first IPl season in 2022. He is the next big thing within the franchise and the management is very proud of him as a cricket. Skipper Rohit Sharma himself spoke very highly of him whenever he was asked about his potential. He does have a good head on his shoulders and can anchor the innings. The South Africa ODI series will be an ideal scenario to give him some game time. 

3) Umran Malik 

If Umran Malik is not selected for the T20 World Cup, he should be named in the ODI squad for the South Africa series. He has played just three T20Is for India so far in his career. The tearaway pacer should be played all the games and be allowed to bowl fast. His pace has certainly troubled the best of them in the IPL in the last two seasons. The youngster will certainly be a difficult bowler to deal with by the Proteas despite playing good quality seam attack themselves. 

Also Read: 3 Indian Players Who Played A Lot Of Games Under Virat Kohli But Didn’t Play Under Rohit Sharma