IND VS SA (Source: @WicketWatcher_,x.com)
The spotlight will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma when India will face South Africa in the first of a three-match ODI series at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday. The Men in Blue are looking to bounce back after a 2-0 Test series whitewash against the Proteas.
India will be eager to take revenge, while the South African team will aim to continue their dominance and trouble the Indian side with their high-quality cricket. In the opening ODI, South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Fans will be hoping for strong performances from the top-order stars, especially Kohli and Rohit, as India seeks to set the tone for the series.
Talking about the changes India has gone with three spinners (Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav) and three pacers (Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna). For South Africa, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Rubin Hermann and Lungi Ngidi are not playing.
TOSS UPDATE: South Africa have won the toss and opt to bowl
India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Playing XIs
South Africa Playing XI : Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (wk), Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger
India Playing XI : Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (c), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.
.jpg)
India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Captains thoughts
KL Rahul (India Captain): "We would have bowled, too. As Aiden said, we practised a couple of nights ago. There was a lot of dew. That is the only reason why we would have bowled first. The preparation has been good. The energy in the dressing room is pretty good. A lot of new players are coming back. Anyhow, we haven't played a lot of ODI cricket recently. Everyone is excited about playing ODI cricket. They are ready to challenge themselves again, find their rhythm, and enjoy themselves in the middle.
That is what the chat has been about in the dressing room. The same thing was said in the meeting as well. We have to use every opportunity that we get when we play ODI cricket. That will help us gel as a team. Find a perfect balance between aggression and bowling well, testing ourselves and challenging our skills. This gives us a great opportunity.
As you said, South Africa is a really good team. They are high on confidence. It is a good challenge for us. Yashasvi will open with Rohit, then Virat, Ruturaj, Washi, myself, Jadeja, Harshit, Kuldeep, Arshdeep and Prasidh are playing. 3 quicks and 3 spinners."
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): Yeah, we are going to bowl first, Ravi. Spent a couple of evenings here, training. Saw a lot of dew, easier to bat later in the evening that's why we are having a bowl.
Yeah, it is. Different personnel as well. The change room is in a good space, guys are positive and full of energy. Hopefully, we can get off to a good start. (On World Cup 2027) That's the build-up, that's the end-goal. Still a bit of time but we get a chance to test ourselves against one of the the best teams in the world. That's the exciting part for us, and a great opportunity for the boys.
We have just gone with one spinner with Subrayen and myself. Keshav and Temba have been rested for this game and then four seamers."
