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After a thrilling start to the multi-format series where both the teams shared victory in the T20I series, action will move towards the longer format. The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg will host KL Rahul-led Indians, whereas Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas. Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav’s side levelled the three-match T20I series with a 105-run win over their counterparts at the same venue on December 14, Thursday.
It will be the sixth time both teams will clash at the venue in the ODI format with one of the previous four endings ending in South Africa’s favour and only one resulting in India’s favour. Both the teams will include some fresh faces as many senior players from both squads have been given a break from the white ball leg.
The Indian side will be without the services of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami. However, the squad will also see Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson making a return to the squad after a long time. The hosts, on the other hand, decided to rest Temba Bavuma, giving reign of the side to Aiden Markram.
The weather forecast on the day of the series opener indicates the possibility of thunderstorms in the morning with the chances of precipitation being 40%. Despite the threats of bad weather, AccuWeather states that the temperature will remain around 29 degrees and it will be a bright sunny day. The temperature is likely to drop 17 degrees with clouds taking cover over Johannesburg skies.
