IND vs SA 1st ODI 2020: Men in Blue are all set to take on the Proteas in the first ODI of the three-match series at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala, on Thursday. India is back in the comfort of home conditions. However, it can hardly afford to get relaxed. Not after suffering a clean sweep in New Zealand. The low temperature in Dharmashala and the threat of rain might create problems for India.
Return of Dhawan, Pandya and Bhuvneshwar
Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar – the big names – are back in the squad and will certainly strengthen the side. Dhawan will be back on the top spot, providing a much-needed experience in the opening department. Meanwhile, Pandya and Bhuvi's return might complicate the composition of the team, but it is a welcome headache.
Jadeja and Pandya for the all-rounder spot
Ravindra Jadeja has made himself a crucial all-rounder for the team in the absence of Hardik Pandya. Jadeja was filling in for Pandya, so will he make a way for him now? Well, India is having an option to have both Jadeja and Pandya to strengthen the batting department, especially after it failed to defend big totals twice against New Zealand.
Confident Proteas
South Africa has been doing good with the white ball. In a recently-concluded Australia tour of South Africa, the Proteas suffered a defeat in T20 series 1-2, while it whitewashed Australia in the ODI series. Likewise, South Africa has surprised India in the T20 late last year, leveling the series one-each.
India vs South Africa in Dharamshala
India and South Africa were scheduled to play a T20I match at Dharamshala in September, but the game was washed out. Dharamsala is a field-first venue. The teams chasing have won three out of the four ODIs played here. These teams met last time here in a T20I match in 2015, where South Africa had chased down 200. Faf du Plessis and David Miller were part of that XI, and are in the current squad.
Also Read | ICC announces schedule for Women’s World Cup 2021
Squad
India: Virat Kohli (c), Lokesh Rahul (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, JJ Smuts, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Beuran Hendricks
-PTC News
