🏏India vs South Africa, 2nd ODI - Ranchi🏏 - Page 2

 India went in with five specialist bowlers in the last game. But today, they have handed Shahbaz Ahmed his debut cap.

The visitors are in dire need of ICC Super League points and a win in the first game came as a boost for them. They need to keep winning though, and against an Indian team of reserves, they'll back themselves. However, they'd definitely want to be more clinical than they were at Lucknow. The new-ball bowling was stellar but once the surface eased out, they weren't quite able to control the runs. Eventually, the damage they did in the first 15-20 overs was enough for them to get across the line. For India, it's a chance to identify their next set of white-ball players, and these fringe lot won't get a better audition than this series to push their case. There is also an ODI World Cup in 6 months, and any of these could even have an outside chance to make that squad. Samson and Iyer did their case no harm, and if they weren't able to win India the game, these performances would surely hold them in good stead. The others would also want to step in today. Plenty of sub-plots to look forward to.

With the World Cup being in touching distance, T20 cricket is all that the cricketing world is obsessed with, at the moment. And this comes during a time when there has already been doubts over the future of ODI cricket. As such, you'd wonder what the context is for an ODI series with barely two weeks left for a T20 World Cup. But both India and South Africa have their share of motivations in this series, and that's what adds significance to these three games. The Proteas overcame a spirited Indian middle-order act to go 1-0 up in the series at Lucknow and while the margin was only nine runs, the result really wasn't ever in doubt despite the efforts of Samson, Iyer and Shardul. It was a surface that suited Bavuma's men perfectly and they did most things right, even though they leaked more runs than they'd have wanted. It's a do-or-die game for the home side and expect them to come back hard. Hopefully, we get a cracking game of cricket. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan welcoming you all from the Cricbuzz Comm Box on behalf of my mates. Toss and teams will be up shortly.

Keshav Maharaj calls correctly and will have a bat

Thanks, Hemant. Looks like Temba Bavuma is out today, it is Keshav Maharaj at toss.

It's just about staying mentally ready and just believing that I'm still in good form and I have been having a fantastic year so far, so I just need to ride on that wave and keep mentally fresh and make sure the body is full of energy so that I can keep up with the intensity. Think that is the hardes part of coming in from the bench is to keep up with the intensity of the format. I try to get into the crease with game-plan ready and I just need to try what we spoke about and what we prepped on over the last couple of years, and if it doesn't work we can live with it. Bowling plans at the backend wasn't too great in the last game, we had a chat about it and we will sort that out today and hopefully we can make some good decisions and stay nice and calm.

Shikhar Dhawan: We would have bowled first actually, there is going to be dew in the second innings and we are gonna take advantage of that. Two changes for us. Washington Sundar coming in and Shahbaz Ahmed is making his debut today. Ruturaj and Ravi Bishnoi are out.

Pitch report: "It isn't the biggest ground here, 60 meter boundaries and even the straight boundary isn't all that big. Not a blade of grass on this surface, looks firm and seems a typical surface. Square is very dry and there could be some reverse swing as the game progresses. A few cracks but there won't be a lot of grip, instead could be a lot more skid. Winning the toss, it will be tempting to bat first as the track can slow down later." reckon Deep Dasgupta and Ajit Agarkar.

Washington Sundar will be asset to the team

He also had some injury last year

After that no one remembered him

Glad to see him back 😃

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson(w), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan

South Africa (Playing XI): Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj(c), Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

"Even Tristan Stubbs could be given a go in ODIs, with Markram out of form, put pressure for his place, as Klaasen can bat at 4, and Stubbs come lower down."

1.20pm Not long before the first ball is bowled. The surface looks really good for a high score. It is all about how well the batters start.