The Indian team is high on confidence as they look to win their first bilateral series on South Africa shores. Men in Blue would be looking to create more pressure as they struggling hosts in the 4th One day international to played iconic Wander”s Stadium, Johannesburg.
In the 3rd One day international, Team India was asked to bat by South African captain Aiden Markram. Rohit Sharma continued his poor form as was dismissed in the very first over. Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan added 140 runs for the second wicket.
After the dismissal of Dhawan for 76, Rahane, Pandya, Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav could not contribute much. Virat Kohli steadied the innings, reaching his 34th One day international in style. The Indian captain Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 67 runs unbeaten stand for the 7th wicket. Virat Kohli remained not out on 160. Team India posted a competitive total of 303 for 6 in 50 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Hashim Amla early in the innings. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal again troubled the South African batsmen taking 8 wickets between them. Men in Blue won the match by 124 runs.
The hosts South Africa struggled again with their bowling and batting. JP Duminy was the pick of bowlers with 2 wickets but conceded 60 runs. In the middle overs, South Africa took wickets after the 2nd wicket partnership between Dhawan and Kohli.
While batting, JP Duminy and Aiden Markram added 78 runs for the 2nd wicket. After that, the rest of South African batting struggled against the Indian wrist spinners of Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. It was another poor batting performance by the hosts with the bat. The South African team were bowled out for 179 in just 40 overs.
The Indian team has an injury concern with Kedar Jadhav, not fielding. If Kedar Jadhav is not fighting they might bring Manish Pandey or Sheryas Iyer in the squad. Apart from the team remains the same.
South Africa has got a boost as their star AB de Villiers makes a comeback in the squad for the remaining 3 ODIs. The hosts would look to improve their batting against the wrist spinners and trouble the Indian team. If South Africa have to keep hopes alive of equalling series, then it should be all-around performance.
Probable XI India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Ajyinaka Rahane, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey/Sheryas Iyer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Probable XI South Africa: Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram (C), JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, David Miller, Farhaan Behradien, Chris Morris, Phehluwakyo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.