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Match Details
Date : De cember 17, 2023
Time : 1:30 PM IST
Venue : Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
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Follow: South Africa vs India ODI Live Score Here | Cricket Today Match Prediction
Preview
South Africa are scheduled to play the first ODI of the three-match series against India, which will be a traditional Pink Day fixture to raise money and awareness for cancer at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. After losing their respective matches in the knockout stages of the ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia, these two cricketing nations will compete in their first 50 overs international against each other. Although South Africa have a good recent record against India in ODIs at home from their previous series, the visitors boast enough quality to pose a tougher challenge to them in the upcoming series on their recent form.
Pitch Report
The pitches at the Wanderers Stadium are generally very good for batting in ODI cricket, but the fast bowlers do get the consistent pace and bounce to compete well here. The average first-innings score at this venue is 241, which is something any top-quality batting lineup, including the likes of South Africa and India, can get past, especially when they get a good start at the top of the order.
Team Report
Deepak Chahar hasn't joined the Indian squad in South Africa after his father was hospitalised due to a medical emergency back home.
Team Analysis
South Africa
Aiden Markram has taken up the captaincy of South Africa from Temba Bavuma, and he will have the experience of Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller to rely on, in the batting department. Although the top fast bowlers won’t be taking part in the upcoming ODI series for South Africa, the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi in the spin bowling department will be adding some much-needed quality to their playing XI.
SportsTiger Playing XI of South Africa
Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lizaard Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi
India
After Rohit Sharma decided to skip the ODI series, KL Rahul will be the captain for India in the three matches, he will be one of the key players alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer in the batting side of things. Just like the hosts, the Indian cricket team don’t have most of their first-choice fast bowlers for the upcoming series, but the spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be adding strength and depth to their bowling attack.
SportsTiger Playing XI of India
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (c)/(wk), Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
Match Prediction
Conclusion
The Indian cricket team, who have been one of the most consistent ODI teams recently, will be high on confidence in regards to getting the better of South Africa in the first ODI, irrespective of the fact that they are going to play in away conditions.
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