KL Rahul's India and Aiden Markram's South Africa are set to lock horns with each other for a three-match ODI series, with the opening match scheduled to kick start on Sunday, December 17 at Johannesburg's New Wanderers Stadium. The Indian team led by KL Rahul, which is currently the top-ranked ODI team, aim to secure their first victory in Johannesburg since January 2011, when they narrowly defeated South Africa by one run. Starting the series with a win would break a 12-year drought for India.
The inaugural ODI of this series will be distinguished as a pink ODI where the South African team will don pink jerseys instead of their usual green, in honor of the Johannesburg Pink Day ODIs. This tradition is a part of their commitment to raising awareness for breast cancer. Cricket South Africa (CSA) is encouraging fans to join the cause by wearing pink shirts to the game. Additionally, the proceeds from the match will be donated to breast cancer-related initiatives, furthering the impact of this event.
“We are delighted to once again raise awareness about breast cancer with cricket fans. To help in the fight against breast cancer, awareness alone is not enough,” Cricket South Africa’s CEO, Pholetsi Moseki, said on the pink jersey tradition.
“We encourage people to be proactive and get screened. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer among women in South Africa, but it can affect men as well. Early detection can lead to effective treatment and a positive outcome,” he added.
South Africa Boasts a Strong Record in Pink ODIs
The South African cricket team has an impressive track record in the 11 Pink ODIs they have played, securing victories in nine of them. In the memorable 2015 Pink ODI, AB de Villiers, then captain of South Africa, made history by scoring the quickest century in ODI history against the West Indies, achieving this feat in just 31 balls. The most recent Pink ODI between India and South Africa was in 2018, where South Africa triumphed by five wickets.
In 2021, India was defeated 3-0 in an ODI series against South Africa under KL Rahul’s captaincy. This time, the Indian team, again led by Rahul, is eager for redemption with a youthful squad. The team has included several new faces for the series, such as Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Sai Sudarshan, and Akash Deep, raising curiosity about who will make their ODI debut in the series opener.
Rinku Singh is expected to be a part of the playing XI, given his remarkable performances in T20Is since his debut, particularly noted for his powerful hitting and high strike rate. In addition to Rinku, either Rajat Patidar or Sai Sudarshan may join Ruturaj Gaikwad as an opener. Sai Sudarshan, who displayed considerable skill during the IPL 2023, particularly impressed with a 96-run knock against CSK in the finals.
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