India will lock horns against South Africa in the first ODI at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday. India was able to clinch the T20I series by 2-1 and a totally different ODI team, which will be led by Shikhar Dhawan, will take face the Proteas.
We take a look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for India: W W W W W
India has won their last five ODI matches, three against Zimbabwe and two against West Indies but there is no doubt that South Africa will pose a much more difficult challenge. The Indian captain Shikhar Dhawan said that the team is entering the series with the right mindset and they will look to deliver their best for the team.
Current form for South Africa: NR L W W L
Back in March, South Africa was stunned by Bangladesh as they were beaten 2-1 in three-match ODI series. The Proteas have managed only four wins in the 13 matches of the Cricket World Cup Super League and they will need a few wins to climb up in the ladder.
Head to Head: Matches: 87, Won by South Africa: 49, Won by India: 35, NR: 3.
South Africa holds an advantage in the head-to-head battle against India.
Players to look out for: Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Siraj, Ravi Bishnoi, and Kuldeep Yadav will be the key players for the home team.
Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje will be the imperative players for the Proteas.
India’s ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubhman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar.
South Africa’s ODI Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
