🏏SA vs India, 1st ODI: At New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 🏏 - Page 4

India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Head-to-Head

In the 91 ODI matches played against India, South Africa have won 50 matches, while India secured victory in 38 encounters and three ended with no results.

Players to watch out for

India: KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yazuvendra Chahal.

South Africa: Russie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klassen, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj.

"Special day, says KL Rahul. "Seen lots of pink ODIs on TV. Would've chosen to bat too, same strip as the T20. There was spin and it was dry in that T20. Sudarshan on his well-deserved debut, Ruturaj, Tilak, Sanju as always a name that's exciting for the fans. Axar, Kuldeep would love to see this pitch. (IPL exposure) They know what pressure is, how to handle themselves under pressure. They come with that intensity's experience."

After delivering a strong performance in the 3rd T20 international against Proteas, Team India is all set for the 1st One Day International (ODI) against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium in Illovo, Johannesburg. The selectors have made some last-minute changes in the ODI team and let's see if the young Team India under KL Rahul can make some impact in the absence of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

India (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w/c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar

South Africa (Playing XI): Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Tabraiz Shamsi

Ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, KL Rahul successfully led Team India in the ODI series against Australia. KL Rahul offers a lot of flexibility to the Indian squad as he has the potential to perform at every position, but delivers best while playing the anchor in the middle order. The ODI series also marks the comeback of India's most loved leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and his performance will be closely watched in the series.

Weather Prediction

While playing in South Africa, one always keeps an eye on the weather conditions as we saw in the T20 international when the first T20 got washed out while the rain threat continued to loom in the other two. But, the first ODI is likely to remain safe from rains as the weather predictions forecast 0% chances of rain in Johannesburg on 17 December. The temperature is expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius.

India and South Africa as both teams are entering the match with strong squads, but as per their prediction, the South African team has a better chance of capitalizing on the conditions of Wanderers Stadium. We disagree with the above analysis and believe India has a strong chance to win the 1st ODI if they play with the right combinations.

Sudharsan carded at No. 3, not as opener. A reminder this is Iyer's last game of this series because he will leave to prep for the Tests. India have gone with Samson over Rinku Singh for this game. How far ahead are India actually looking with this ODI series?

Rishav: "SA will make 400 . I have zero faith in this Indian bowling lineup. India will get to 200... somehow" -- Kuldeep's 10 overs would decide that, I feel