Potential South Africa openers who could spoil Rohit, Kohli's ODI comeback in Ranchi

 South African players who can pose serious threat to India in ODIs [Source: AFP]

After winning the Test series, South Africa will now switch their attention to white-ball cricket as they get ready for the three-match ODI series against India, beginning Sunday, November 30, in Ranchi. 

India, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back after their disappointing Test whitewash earlier in the tour. They will also be motivated, having recently defeated South Africa in a nail-biting final during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025.

With the ODI matches about to start, here are three South African players who could become major threats to India.

Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock’s return from ODI retirement has turned out to be a huge plus for South Africa. Since coming back, he has been in brilliant form. 

The wicket-keeper batter recent performance against Pakistan shows how dangerous he can be. In that ODI series, de Kock scored 239 runs in just three innings, averaging 119.50 with a strike rate of nearly 92. 

This included one century and two fifties. He has also been in good touch lately, hitting three consecutive fifty-plus scores, including a century in Faisalabad earlier this month.

[Quinton de Kock record in ODIs vs India]

With more than 158 innings under his belt, de Kock brings a lot of experience and understands Indian pitches very well. Notably, against India, he has already scored an impressive 1,077 runs at a stunning average of 91.58.

Moreover, de Kock has troubled India many times in the past, and with the form he is currently in, he could again become one of the biggest challenges for India in this series.

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Matthew Breetzke

Matthew Breetzke will be playing ODIs against India for the first time. However, that does not make him any less dangerous. The 27-year-old batter may not have experience in Indian conditions, however, he has already shown what he is capable of in the recent Pakistan series.

In four innings against Pakistan, Breetzke scored 158 runs at an average of 52.67. Since making his ODI debut, he has been extremely consistent, scoring 542 runs in just nine innings at an average of 67.75 and a strong strike rate of 96.27.

Notably, his current form makes him a very real threat, and India will have to be careful when he is at the crease.

Nandre Burger

Left-arm pacer Nandre Burger has been one of South Africa’s most impressive bowlers recently. Burger's ability to bowl with pace and accuracy makes him dangerous, especially early in the innings. 

Notably, in the recent ODI series against Pakistan, he took five wickets in just two games while maintaining an economy rate of 5.00.

[Nandre Burger bowling stats in 2025]

Meanwhile, in the year 2025 alone, Burger has picked up 13 wickets in 7 innings with an economy of 6.38. His consistency and ability to trouble top-order batters mean he could be a serious threat to India’s batting lineup.

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