After sealing the T20I series 2-1, India will be taking on South Africa in a three-match T20I series starting with the first game in Lucknow on October 6, Thursday.
Match Preview
India will be playing with a second string side as most of the first team members will board the flight to Australia to prepare for the T20 World Cup. Shikhar Dhawan will be leading India in this series whereas Shreyas Iyer has been named as the vice-captain. The likes of Sanju Samson, Rajat Patidar and Rahul Tripathi impressed with their performances for India A in the series against New Zealand A recently, and they have been rewarded with a call-up into this ODI squad. Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav are the two spinners selected whereas all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed is also there to bowl his left-arm spin. Even though this is a second string squad, India look pretty strong and a side that can give the Proteas a run for their money.
South Africa, however, will be seen fielding a full-strength side. Temba Bavuma will be leading them once again. All the players will be mostly familiar names from the T20I series except Janneman Malan, who will open the innings along with Quinton de Kock. The Proteas’ win over India in the third T20I has given them some much needed confidence going into the ODI series and they will be eager to carry that momentum forward.
Possible Playing XI
India
Shikhar Dhawan(c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson(w), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa
Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje
Key Players
Shubman Gill
The youngster has amassed 450 runs in just six ODIs this year at a stunning average and strike-rate of 112.50 and 111.66 respectively. Gill will be looking to keep his rich vein of form going in this series.
David Miller
The southpaw has been in superb batting form this year. While most of his exploits have come in T20Is, including a hundred against India in the second match of the T20 leg, he has done a good job in ODIs as well. In six ODI innings this year, Miller has amassed 172 runs at an average of 43 and strike-rate of 110.96.
Prediction
Despite being a second string squad, the Indian team has loads of talented players. But what most of them lack is experience and that’s where their South African counterparts have the edge. So, the visitors can be backed to win this contest purely because of their experience and familiarity with this level of cricket.
