After a convincing eight-wicket win in the opening match led by young pacers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan, Team India will aim to maintain its dominance under KL Rahul.
with Shreyas Iyer Joining the Test team, the first ODI cap is up for grabs, and the battle for the batting place is heating up between left-hander Rinku Singh and right-hander Rajat Patidar. While Rinku emerges as the No. 6 pacer, Patidar, the No. 4 specialist, emerges as Iyer’s replacement.
Team management may choose continuity and giving Sanju Samson, playing as a specialist batsman at number six, is a fair chance before considering Rinku Singh. However, Renko’s impressive List A track record may influence the decision.
In the opener, young left-hander P Sai Sudarsan made a promising debut with a silky half-century, adding depth to the Indian batting.
For South Africa, the series was an important white-ball test in the post-Quinton de Kock era. India’s fringe players exposed the weaknesses in the South African line-up in the first match and the hosts will need to improve in the second encounter night and night.
While the bowling department is likely to remain unchanged after the impressive show by Arshdeep and Avesh, there may be a slight tweak with the inclusion of Akash Deb in place of Mukesh Kumar, who struggled in the first match.
In the spin department, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who are not part of the Test squad, will be keen to contribute in the ODIs, making it unlikely that they will be given voluntary rest. Yuzvendra Chahal He may have to wait for his chance in the only form he was chosen for.
The second ODI promises to be an exciting clash as India aims to secure the series with another win over South Africa.
the difference:
India: Rahul (captain and week), Ruturaj Gaikwad, P Sai Sudarsan, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avish Khan, Rinku Singh, Akash Deb, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar. . .
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Otniel Baartman, Nandre Berger, Tony De Zorzi, Reda Hendricks, Heinrich Klassen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mbongwana, Jan Mulder, Andile Vihlokwayo, Rassie van der Dussen, Tabriz Shamsi, Lizad Williams, Kyle Vereen . .
Game starts: 4:30 PM EST.
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(With inputs from PTI)