India will face South Africa in the first ODI in Johannesburg on December 17. The match starts at 1:30 pm IST, which is 10 am local time. The Men in Blue leveled the T20I series under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav at the same venue.
Johannesburg starts the first ODI. The second and third ODIs will be played in Gqeberha (December 19) and Paarl (December 21) respectively. In the absence of the senior players, the KL Rahul-led team is expected to be tested.
Playing in South Africa has always been a challenge for the Indian cricket team. This time the rain has contributed to turning the competition into a spoilsport. The match begins at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday with inclement weather at play. Rain is forecast for Sunday and thunderstorms are expected.
Meanwhile, the Indian team is left without its senior players and even its regular coach. Head coach Rahul Dravid will miss this series as he is keen to focus on winning the Test series which is part of the World Test Championship. Sitanshu Kotak will be the head coach of the team along with his NCA support staff.
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India under the captaincy of KL Rahul were whitewashed in the ODI series when India toured South Africa in the 2021-22 season. This time, KL Rahul, who has more than a job on his hands apart from captaincy, will be tested.
India vs South Africa Match Preview: 1st ODI, 2023
India
Veteran players continue to rest for this series. Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson were called back into the team. Ravindra Jadeja is also rested. Axar Patel, who was rested from the T20Is, is recalled for the ODIs. Therefore, the squad announced for the three-match ODI squad has many players who have been called up to the squad.
Rinku Singh and Rajat Patidar have received maiden ODI call-ups. Meanwhile, in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohamed Shami, the seam attack looks inexperienced. In this scenario, characters like Yuzi, Kuldeep and Axar will have an important role to play.
Team India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w/c), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Deep Akash
South Africa
South Africa are also without their usual captain, Temba Bavuma, who last played for them at the World Cup. Quinton de Kock has retired from ODI and Testy cricket, opening up an opening spot at the top of the order. Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Northe and Lungi Ngidi are not available for the ODIs. Rabada also reportedly has doubts about the tests.
Therefore, if key players are missing, the batting responsibility will fall to captain Aiden Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasesn. Bowling-wise, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi continue to be the experienced spinners. Nandre Burge and Ottniel Baartman, who were named for the T20Is, have been brought in for the ODIs. There are some new faces too.
South Africa team: Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Wiaan Mulder, Ottniel Baartman, Mihlali Mpongwana , Kyle Verreynne
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