South Africa vs India: Virat Kohli & Co. will have to defy history in Durban

After an intense and enthralling Test series, India will take on South Africa in a 6-match ODI series. The first match of the series will be played on 1st February at Kingsmead, Durban. While the visitors hold the top position in the longest format of the game and the hosts are the second best it is the other way round in ODIs. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has picked the venues very carefully for the series and Durban has been a fortress for the home team as they enjoy an unbeaten run here against India.

The two teams have faced off in six ODIs and all of them went South Africa’s way. A look at the overall record and the hosts still hold an outright advantage. Having played a total of 35 matches in Durban they’ve won 30. But the Saffers will face a stiff challenge from the Indians this time who are an excellent ODI side and possess a lineup that puts them at par irrespective of the conditions.

Ahead of the ODI series South Africa also lost their key batsman in AB de Villiers. A finger injury has ruled him out of the first three matches. For India, it will be important that their opening pair gives them a good start; the middle order can then come in and dwell on it.

One certain name for the opening role is Rohit Sharma who is coming here on the back of brilliant limited-overs form as he thumped the Sri Lankans in the series where he led the Men in Blue both in ODIs and T20Is. According to Sharma, the past record doesn’t matter and if the team plays to their potential the result will go in their favour even if history talks against something of that sort.

“I don’t think these things matter (past records) because so many things change. The teams have changed. The generations have changed. It’s a 50-over game, so you get time. Even if the first 10 overs go bad, you can always come back,” he said while interacting with the media ahead of the first ODI.

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