India vs South Africa, 2020: 1st ODI, Preview - Hosts' comeback trio in focus in the opener

Coronavirus threat has been looming large over the last few days and amidst all the discussions around IPL getting postponed or suspended, India and South Africa will take the field on Thursday in the first of the three-match ODI series. Virat Kohli had termed the ODIs ‘irrelevant’ in T20 World Cup year after suffering from a whitewash against New Zealand. But surprisingly, he has opted to play this series ahead of the hectic IPL.

However, the context of this series makes little sense with the Proteas travelling all the way for just three 50-over matches just like Australia did in January. Nevertheless, focussing on the series, this is the best opportunity for India to shrug off their defeat to New Zealand. Moreover, Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar who last played together in the World Cup against Australia will be making a comeback as well.

Pandya’s return bodes well for the hosts as he lends a perfect balance to the side. Also, it will be interesting to see if he replaces Jadeja in the playing XI or both of them are accommodated. Bhuvneshwar’s arrival will make Jasprit Bumrah feel easy a bit while Shikhar Dhawan would be keen on making a big score in Rohit Sharma’s absence.

South Africa have arrived in India full of confidence under their new skipper Quinton de Kock. A fairly inexperienced side whitewashed Australia at home and now with Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen returning, they look a strong side. However, the bowling attack is inexperienced with the injury-prone Lungi Ngidi leading the way even as the visitors will miss Kagiso Rabada‘s services.

This series will also be a good experienced for the likes of Janneman Malan, Van der Dussen among others who will be playing in India for the first time. The way India plays at home is absolutely unmatched and the visiting players will get a feel of it over the next week or so.

Team Combination

India

With Rohit Sharma yet to recover from injury, Prithvi Shaw looks set to open with Dhawan. Shubman Gill has returned to the ODI side finally, but he will have to wait for his chance. KL Rahul, donning the gloves, will continue to bat at five. If India decides to play Jadeja and Hardik both, then the latter will have to take more responsibility batting at six.

The new ball duo of Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar is set to reunite while Navdeep Saini is likely to get more opportunities after impressing in New Zealand. There will be a toss-up between the wrist spinners Yuvzendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Though the former is expected to be preferred thanks to his decent show in the previous series.

Probable XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

South Africa

Like India, South Africa have a happy headache over whether to play Temba Bavuma or Janneman Malan. The latter showcased his brilliant skills against Australia scoring a century while Bavuma was rested after recovering from injury. Du Plessis and Van der Dussen also return to the middle-order making life tough for Kyle Verreynne and the likes of Klassen and Smuts.

With no Rabada, Ngidi will lead the bowling attack comprising of Anrich Nortje and either of Beuran Hendricks or Lutho Sipamla. Keshav Maharaj will most likely pip George Linde for the lone spinner’s slot while Andile Phehlukwayo will be the all-rounder’s line-up.

Probable XI: Janneman Malan/Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (C & WK), Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen/JJ Smuts, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla/Beuran Hendricks.

Focus will be on

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Quinton de Kock’s record against India is impeccable. He has scored 784 runs in 13 matches with 5 five hundreds at an average of 60.30 in the format against them. While he will be crucial with the bat, the southpaw has the extra responsibility to handle this time of captaincy and he has so far handled it well. A lot will determine on how De Kock handles the dual responsibility on this tour.

Virat Kohli (India)

Not that others are not in focus but Virat Kohli’s indifferent form in New Zealand has left many worried. The Indian captain failed to score a century on the tour across formats and also crossed the 50-run mark only once. He will be itching to make a mark in this series and find his mojo ahead of the crucial IPL which is set to follow. In the absence of Rohit Sharma, it becomes imperative for Kohli to click with the bat as well.

Head to Head

Overall

Matches – 84 | India won – 35 | South Africa won – 46 | NR – 3

In India

Matches – 28 | India won – 15 | South Africa won – 13

Stat Attack

22- Virat Kohli hasn’t scored an international hundred in his last 22 innings across formats. His last ton came in the day-night Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens last year.

1 – Faf du Plessis will play his first ODI since the World Cup last year.

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 1.30 PM local & IST; 8 AM GMT