South Africa vs India, 4th ODI- South Africa Predicted XI

The Proteas will be desperate for a stroke of luck in the deciding 4th ODI encounter at Johannesburg, after trailing to India 0-3 in the six-match series. Indian skipper Virat Kohli slammed his 34th one-day hundred in the third ODI against South Africa on Wednesday, playing a pivotal role in India’s massive 124 runs win.

South Africa, who were on an unbeaten 17 match streak at home, lost it after their defeat in the first ODI. And followed by losses in the next two consecutive fixtures, the Proteas now face a series defeat. Thus, they will need to pull their socks up and go all guns blazing at the visitors if they fancy any chance of reviving the series.

With the high-octane clash just a day away, we take a look at how South Africa will be lining up.

Openers (Aiden Markram (c), Hashim Amla)

In the absence of regular skipper Faf Du Plessis, interim captain Aiden Markram will look to deliver at the top. Partnered with Hashim Amla on the other end, the Indians need to dismiss the duo quickly and not give them a chance to settle in.

Though the young Markram has looked in sound form, Amla contrarily has been struggling to get adequate runs. With a series defeat right on the verge, Amla will need to step up his game and provide the much-needed impetus at the top of the batting order.

Middle Order ( AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller)

A much-welcome news for the South African camp is that marquee batsman AB De Villers looks fit to take the pitch. Although the stalwart has been added to the squad for the remainder of the series, it’s not certain yet. The decision to play him in the upcoming 4^th ODI on Saturday will be taken by the management only after the practice session on Friday. De Villiers had sustained an injury to his right index finger during the third Test match against India which ruled him out of the first three matches of the series.

His return will provide an indomitable stability in the middle order, which has been vividly exploited by the Indian wrist-spinners in his absence.

De Villiers will be joining the ranks of explosive batsman David Miller along with the tenacious JP Duminy and gloveman Heinrich Klaasen. Though the middle looks lethal on paper, the outcome will totally depend on how they perform on the pitch.

All-rounders (Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo)

After being dropped in the second match, all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo was brought back in the previous encounter. He is likely to feature in tomorrow’s clash. His addition will provide the skipper with an extra option, which can come in handy if he delivers.

Chris Morris has also failed to be amongst runs in the ongoing series and will be keen to get on a show to give the Proteas a chance to revive the series.

Bowlers (Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir)

The bowling department, which has been South Africa’s forte will see a pace-laden attack. Also with a green Johannesburg in the offing, the speedsters will aim to do an encore of the decimation they did during the Tests.

Rabada and Ngidi have been tested to their extremities in the ongoing ODI’s as the Indian batsman has succeeded in starving of the danger. Combined with Tahir’s deceiving leg spin, the bowling department keeps the potential to wreak havoc and will need to combine if they fancy a win.