The upcoming ODI series between India and South Africa, following a drawn T20I series, is set to introduce fresh talent and new leadership dynamics. India, under KL Rahul's captaincy, is bringing in several new players, while South Africa, with Aiden Markram at the helm, also presents a rejuvenated team composition. This series marks a departure from the teams' recent encounter in the ODI World Cup, where India claimed a commanding victory.
However, only a handful of players from that match, including Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer, are part of the current Indian squad.
The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, known for its batter-friendly conditions, offers a flat pitch with short boundaries, typically resulting in high-scoring matches. This was evidenced in the epic 2006 chase where South Africa successfully pursued Australia's daunting total of 434. While the average first innings score at this venue is 241, teams batting second have a historical upper hand, with a winning record of 30-23. Interestingly, the recent T20 game at the same venue saw Indian spinners extracting significant turn, suggesting potential opportunities for bowlers in the upcoming ODI.
In the ODI format, South Africa and India have faced each other 91 times, with South Africa winning 50 encounters and India securing 38 victories, alongside three matches ending inconclusively. The last five ODIs between these two sides have seen South Africa win twice and India thrice, with India's highest score being 326 and South Africa's lowest at 83.
The first ODI is scheduled for December 17, 2023, at the Wanderers. The weather forecast indicates a likelihood of morning thunderstorms, particularly around early hours, with about a 51 percent chance of rain. Despite the threat of early showers, the day is expected to be warm, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 27°C. Fortunately, the probability of rainfall reduces to 0 percent later in the day, enhancing prospects for an uninterrupted game.
This series is not just a battle between two cricketing powerhouses but also a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills and for new leaders to stamp their authority. The anticipation is high for what promises to be an exciting clash at the iconic Wanderers Stadium.
Squads:
South Africa: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram (c), Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Kyle Verreynne (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nandre Burger, Ottniel Baartman and Tabraiz Shamsi
India: Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (c & wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal
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