Having discussed a lot about the IPL auctions and the surprises that sprung therein, its time to shift focus back to India’s tour of South Africa. Despite the historic win at Johannesburg, India lost out to the Proteas the test series.
Now its time for the limited overs fixtures which begin from February 1. India would start the 6 matches one day international series against South Africa from February 1 and the question that arises is, what should be India’s playing eleven in the One Day Series.
Here is the Indian Squad for the ODI series against South Africa
Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvenshwar Kumar, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami and Shardul Thakur.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE PLAYING XI?
- Openers
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan
India does not need to change this opening pair given how successful they have been in the limited overs format for India. No matter how much questions were raised upon their form in the test series but there is surely no alternative to this pair in limited overs cricket.
2. Middle Order
One Down: Virat Kohli
Two Down: Shreyas Iyer
Three Down: Manish Pandey
Fourth Down: MS Dhoni
Image Source: timesofman.com
3. Lower Middle Order
Hardik Pandya
His form and batting style too has been under scrutiny in the test series but he is any day a better and an important player for India when it comes to limited overs cricket.
4. Bowlers
Image Source: BCCI
Yuzvendra Chahal
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Mohammad Shami
Jasprit Bumrah
In South Africa, it would make sense to play only 1 spinner and 3 mainstream seamers along with Hardik Pandya’s all-round capabilities. These three seamers after their sensational form in the test series now have a great knowledge about the pitches and the weakness of the South African batsmen. India would want to bank on its best ever bowling attack ever to settle odds by winning the ODI series.
Let us know what you make of this playing XI?
