South Africa vs India: Participation of AB de Villiers in Pink ODI still not certain

Team South Africa have certainly been taken aback by the Indian onslaught in the ongoing ODI series. They are trailing 0-3 in the 6-match ODI series and need to regroup pretty soon to change their fortunes. The Cricket South Africa (CSA) recently announced the team for the next three ODIs of the series. One big name is set to make a comeback and that is AB de Villiers.

It is needless to concede that the South African team have missed his services dearly in the series thus far. AB de Villiers not only provides the moral boost to the team owing to his reputation, but also plays the right kind of counter attack game in times of crisis. His return to the squad is certainly a big boost to the side. He was not in the squad for the first three ODIs following an injury concern.

ABD to undergo assessments

While the news of the inclusion of the star batsman in the side is a big one for the hosts, there is a catch in the news too. As per the reports in IOL.co.za, AB de Villiers will have to undergo assessments before turning up for the Pink ODI. The fourth ODI of the series will be played on February 10 at the iconic venue of Wanderers, in Johannesburg.

The match will be a Pink ODI with the Proteas camp and the audiences all dressed up in Pink. South Africa have never lost a Pink ODI and it they wish to keep this streak intact, they would want to keep AB de Villiers in the playing eleven. Reportedly, there is no immediate word on whether de Villiers has recovered sufficiently to play in the fourth ODI of the series.

Citing the role that AB de Villiers plays in the South African setup, he is often seen as the one who charges against the opposition. During the first Test of the very same tour, India dictated terms by reducing the hosts to 12/3 in the first hour of play. It was ABD who bailed them out of trouble with a counter-attack. He did so in the other Test games as well.

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