India vs South Africa, 1st ODI | Match Preview

Today at 5:48 PM

India and South Africa will begin their ODI series on November 30 at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. The teams are coming into the match in different moods: India is back home after a tough tour of Australia, while South Africa has just finished a tough series of matches in Pakistan.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during their partnership against Australia in the Sydney ODI

‌India relies on experienced leaders such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. They will set the pace for the innings and bring stability to the batting order while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma add freshness and an aggressive style. The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav could play a key role on home turf.

Meanwhile, South Africa combines experienced and young players. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram will led the batting unit up top while Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke provide stability in the middle. The visitors' mainstay are their fast bowlers Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandre Burger, who can put pressure at any part of the innings.

Both teams have shown inconsistent form, so the starting match will be important to set the tone for the series.

Form Guide

India is approaching the series in inconsistent form. In March, the team confidently defeated Australia and New Zealand in the ICC Champion Trophy in Dubai, showing a strong top order and consistent spin bowling. But the tour of Australia in October proved difficult, with defeats in Perth and Adelaide exposing the vulnerability of the middle order. However, India won the last match in Sydney by 9 wickets and demonstrated the team's potential when the top order plays well. Overall, India alternates between strong and weak performances, and returning home should boost their confidence.

South Africa has also shown inconsistent results losing a three-match ODI series to Pakistan after winning in England earlier. The team is capable of coming back into games after setbacks, but often loses control in the middle of the innings. This is where fast bowlers and experienced leaders who can turn a match around, even if the team starts poorly, are needed.

India: W W L L W

South Africa: W L L W L

India vs South Africa Head-to-Head

South Africa historically leads in head-to-head ODI matches with a score of 51-40.

In recent years, India has strengthened its position on home turf. It shows the strength of its spinners and top order. South Africa is strong on fast pitches and can surprise with the pace of its bowlers. The recent clashes between both sides have been tense and often decided in the final overs.

India 40-51 South Africa

Pitch and Weather

The JSCA Stadium in Ranchi provides equal conditions for batters and bowlers. At the start of the match, fast bowlers have a slight advantage, the middle of the innings is conducive to scoring runs, and spinners get a chance to prove themselves as the game wears on.

The weather on November 30 is comfortable, around 22-24°C, cloudy, with no rain expected. After 6:30 p.m., dew may appear, which will make the game easier for the team batting second.

It is often advantageous for teams to start with bowling if they win the spin of the coin, but the dry surface allows India to take a risk and choose to bat first as well.

Team News

Captain KL Rahul will play a connecting role in the middle order with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being key prospects at the top. Kuldeep Yadav is the main spin option, while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana spearhead the pace attack.

South Africa relies on a mix of experience and young talent. Markram and Bavuma will lead the batting, de Kock remains an important player in the powerplay. Jansen, Ngidi and Burger will provide pressure with their speed and tough lengths, while Keshav Maharaj provides stability in the middle.

India (Probable XI): Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (c & wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh

South Africa (Probable XI): Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Temba Bavuma (c), Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Broadcasting Platforms

The IND vs SA first ODI will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network in India from 1:30 PM on Sunday with live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website.

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