SA vs IND 1st ODI | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming
India will take on SA in 1st ODI on Sunday [AP]
After a high-octane T20I series, which ended with a befitting 1-1 scoreline, India's caravan for the marquee trip to South Africa moves to the ODI leg with another exciting three-match series on the cards, starting with the opening game in Johannesburg on December 17.
Stand-in captain KL Rahul's Men in Blue lock horns with Proteas skipper Aiden Markram and his team for supremacy in a format which may not be an immediate point of attention for both sides but gives the youngsters part of both the teams an opportunity to press home their individual cases amidst stiff competition for slots.
SA vs IND: Team Previews
South Africa
For the Proteas, the focus will be on two critical spots in the line-up after resting skipper Temba Bavuma and pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match ODI series. The South Africans, who faltered in the semifinal of the World Cup 2023 in India, need to also find a long-term replacement for the just-retired Quinton de Kock.
They will be hoping that extravagant backup opener Reeza Hendricks finally transfers his impactability in T20Is to the One-Day format at the top and establish himself in the 50-over version, too.
Along the same lines, the team management will be keen to see how fresh pacers Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Mihlali Mpongwana and Ottniel Baartman shape up against a strong Indian batting line-up.
Another issue that the Proteas will have to ponder over is the insignificant output from their first-choice allrounder, Andile Phehulkwayo, and whether they should replace him with Wiaan Mulder down the order.
India
India won the last T20I [AP]
With the main star cast busy approaching the build-up towards the Test series coming up, Indian youngsters have been handed an unexpected opportunity by the selectors.
Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan, as well as middle-order players Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, and Rinku Singh on debut and Sanju Samson on a much-anticipated comeback, have a great chance at hand to bolster their respective cases.
As do aspiring allrounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, apart from backup pacers Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, in their own quest to farm the remaining slots in the first-choice outfit.
Given the lack of experience in the ranks, responsibility will lie on the shoulders of senior pros Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, as well as lead spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, to make life easier for the rest of the squad with their presence and on-field performances.
SA vs IND: Match Details & Live Streaming
| Match Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 17, 2023 |
| Venue | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
| Time | 1:30 PM IST |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | Star Sports, Disney+Hotstar |
SA vs IND: Johannesburg Pitch Report
A flat batting paradise awaits both teams at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for the opening one-dayer of the series.
The ground is known for its true pace and bounce amid small boundary dimensions, which makes it an ideal setting for batters to play with utmost freedom and command. Expect a high-scoring face-off with two strong batting line-ups entering at loggerheads to each other.
SA vs IND: Probable Playing XIs
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger
India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wk & c), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh
SA vs IND: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
| Roles | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | KL Rahul, Heinrich Klaasen |
| Batters | David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer |
| Allrounders | Axar Patel |
| Bowlers | Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams |
| Captain | KL Rahul |
| Vice-captain | David Miller |
SA vs IND: Winner Prediction
With multiple key pacers missing for South Africa, Indian batters have a great chance to ruffle the Proteas early in the series by establishing a solid foothold in Jo'burg. Expect a close-fought affair where the more experienced Indians come out triumphant.
 "Kashish Chadha")
