New Delhi: The men in blue are prepared to try their luck in the ODIs in South Africa following an evenly played T20I series.
India is getting over their World Cup grief with their multi-format visit to South Africa, led by the comeback of skipper KL Rahul.
Rahul will try to record India’s first series victory in the One Day International (ODI) format against the hosts, following Suryakumar Yadav’s masterful guidance of a Rohit Sharma-less Team India to a series-levelling victory in the shortest format.
T20Is ✅#TeamIndia READY for the ODIs 👍 👍#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/eJE9XdCv8e
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 17, 2023
On Sunday, the first match of the ODI series will take place at Johannesburg’s New Wanderers Stadium.
India may postpone Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return as the opener, while Rinku Singh, the finisher, is expected to play his first ODI against South Africa.
Lack of experience
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two experienced batsmen, will continue to be absent from India’s white-ball series, as the star duo requested to have rest from the ODI series earlier this month.
Pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are also out for the visitors.
Our ODI group has arrived in Johannesburg! 🙌🏽
Preparations have begun. 1st one-day on Sunday.#TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/82ho3o8qQK
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 15, 2023
Bumrah and Siraj have been given rest to keep them fresh for the test series, while Md. Shami has been ruled out of the entire series due to an injury blow.
The Men in Blue’s fast-bowling attack will be led by Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh, while the spin department will be held by Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Pressure to improve the record
During their most recent encounter, India easily won the ODI series against the Proteas, but they are yet to register an ODI series win against the Proteas in South Africa.
💬 💬 “I will be wicketkeeping & batting in the middle order. I would be happy to take up that role even in the Test matches.”
KL Rahul, who is captaining #TeamIndia in the #SAvIND ODIs, takes us through his thoughts on his batting position across formats. @klrahul pic.twitter.com/EAnYQTEsc6
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2023
However, in the 2013–14 and 2021–22 series against the Asian giants, South Africa triumphed 2-0 and 3-0, respectively.
Whether KL Rahul as captain can change the fortune of the men in blue, only time will tell.
Captain KL Rahul in the Star Sports promo.pic.twitter.com/D803SxWg3J
— Juman Sarma (@cool_rahulfan) December 17, 2023
