India will take on South Africa in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Green Park, Kanpur, on Sunday. After losing the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series 2-0, India will be in desperate need of a win to get their home season off to a start. India’s Test series win against Sri Lanka has been sandwiched by an ODI series loss to Bangladesh and now the T20I loss to South Africa, so they will want their limited overs form to improve rapidly. A home series against a quality opposition will be the perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling. Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st ODI at Kanpur
Unlike their T20I team, India have a settled ODI line-up. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been phenomenal for India ever since forming their alliance in 2013, and had an excellent time during ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as well. They will be followed by an uncharacteristically under-fire Virat Kohli at No. 3. For the first time since 2010 (when he scored 995 runs), Kohli has failed to reach 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He still has a few months to get there, but unless he enjoys a massive upward-swing in form, it seems he might miss out on his usual landmark in what has been his worst year in ODIs since his debut season.
The major problem for India’s batting is their No. 4 slot. Skipper MS Dhoni has expressed interest in batting at that position, which will mean that the rest of the line-up will need some shuffling. If Dhoni does bat at No. 4 it will mean that Suresh Raina will need to drop down to No. 6 and become India’s new finisher. This leaves the No. 5 spot up for grabs. Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu are the prime contenders for the role, though the presence of Gurkeerat Singh in the squad makes that contest an interesting three-way. Gurkeerat could also be considered, along with Stuart Binny, for the all-rounder’s position. READ: India vs South Africa 2015, T20I series: 5 reasons India lost
With Akshar Patel failing consistently with the bat, it will be a stretch to think of him as an all-rounder any more. If at all he does play, it will be as a frontline bowler. Given Ravindra Jadeja’s excellent form so far in Ranji Trophy 2015-16, Akshar will doubtless feel pressure to perform. With Ravichandran Ashwin being by far India’s best bowler, all that remains is deciding the pace bowlers. India will need to pick two among Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, and Umesh Yadav. Umesh’s extra pace will probably help him get a chance ahead of Mohit.
As for South Africa, things are a lot less complicated. Quinton de Kock loves batting against Indian bowlers, and will return to the top along with Hashim Amla. Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, and JP Duminy make for an intimidating middle order, with David Miller and Farhaan Behardien to follow. Their bowling is powerful as well, with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel returning to the team. They will be backed up by Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris, and Kagiso Rabada, with Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso as spin support. In all probability Steyn and Morkel will have one of Morris, Abbott, or Rabada for company, with Phangiso and Tahir as the spinners. READ: Barabati crowd shows how little Indian spectators have evolved since Eden Gardens, World Cup 1996
The match will be played at the Green Park, Kanpur. It is a ground that has seen some good performances, most recent of which was a Dhawan century in an ODI against West Indies in 2013. India enjoy a decent record at the ground, having won nine out of the 12 matches played here. That said, this is also the venue where Shahid Afridi scored a 45-ball century against India so a de Villiers special is not off the table either. On the whole, the match is likely to be a run-fest between two powerful sides. It will be a stern test for Dhoni, and a vital match for India. READ: India vs South Africa 2015: India marks out of 10
Squads:
India: MS Dhoni (c&wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Stuart Binny, Ambati Rayudu, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Akshar Patel.
South Africa: AB de Villiers (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Khaya Zondo, Aaron Phangiso.
Time: 09:00 IST | 03:30 GMT
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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