SA will be without Rabada
January 19, 2022 13:13
Welcome to the commentary of the 1st of the three-match ODI series between South Africa and India, played in Paarl on Wednesday.
The mighty Virat Kohli's presence in the Indian playing eleven as a mere player for the first time in seven years will be keenly followed while K L Rahul, his potential successor in red-ball cricket, will be judged for his captaincy in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning in Paarl, on Wednesday.
His supporters, and Indian cricket in general, will be hoping that Kohli has put his differences with the BCCI firmly behind him and, come Wednesday, starts a new innings with his willow doing most of the talking. A highly desired century after two years will be the cherry on top.
Rahul, leading the side in the absence of an injured Rohit Sharma, is expected to turn to Kohli for advice during the series. Not only Kohli has a major role to play as a batter, but as vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said on the eve of the series, the star "will always be a leader" in the team.
With the new leadership and support staff, India will look to win the series, with one eye on preparations for the 2023 World Cup and also make up for the disappointment of unexpectedly going down in the Tests last week.
The last time a full strength India played an ODI series was at home, against England in March, before a second string squad travelled to Sri Lanka in July.
Rahul will open the batting with veteran Shikhar Dhawan, who has thrived under pressure in the past and will be looking to solidify his position as the first-choice opener alongside Rohit when the latter returns from injury.
Kohli will bat at his usual number three spot while there will be a toss-up between Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer for the number four position.
Rishabh Pant is expected to come at number five while Venkatesh Iyer is likely to make his 50-over debut as the all-rounder at six, having shown promise in the T20s against New Zealand.
The two spinners likely to play are Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, who has made a comeback after more than four years.
South Africa will be in high spirits after a memorable victory in the five-day format.
Skipper Temba Bavuma played a few crucial knocks in the preceding Tests and he will carry that confidence into his batting as well as his leadership.
Quinton de Kock, who retired from Test cricket after the series opener against India, starts life as a white-ball only player.
Tall left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who excelled in his maiden Test series, is expected to trouble the Indian batters with his extra bounce and variations in the short format after earning a maiden call-up.
If the Tests were any indication, the ODIs will be an intensely-fought affair.
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