Match Preview – South Africa vs India, India in South Africa 2021/22, 1st ODI
There could be big runs on a ground with small boundaries, but the pitch in Paarl might also offer something to spinners
Big picture
Unlike most of the ODI cricket played at the moment, the three-match series between South Africa and India does not form part of the World Cup Super League, with those fixtures said to be slotted in at a later date. The 50-over format takes a bit of a backseat for much 2022, but this series will give both teams a chance to try out combinations.
With a T20 World Cup 10 months away, you may be wondering why these matches have been tacked onto the Tests, instead of T20Is for example, when they actually don’t count for much? Well, remember that this series was originally also supposed to include four T20Is, but concerns over the Omicron variant, which delayed India’s arrival in the country, chopped those off the schedule. The ODIs have stayed, not least because they bring Cricket South Africa millions of rands through broadcast rights – more than they would get for a shorter format.
But there may end up being some method to this madness as both sides have plenty to work on in this format.
Form guide
South Africa LWLWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India LWWWL
In the spotlight
After struggling for runs in the Tests,Aiden Markram will look to the ODIs to redeem himself and also improve his numbers in this format. In 34 matches, Markram averages 28.10 and has yet to bring up three-figures, but came close with 96 in Sri Lanka. The return of specialist openers to the ODI squad and Markam’s recent success in T20s at No. 4 suggests that he should be batting in the middle-order in this series, which may give him the opportunity to play himself back into form ahead of a trip to New Zealand and a home series against Bangaldesh.
Team news
South Africa have a bottleneck at the top of the line-up, which could leave Rassie van der Dussen coming in lower than he is used to. They have room for two allrounders and may have to choose between seam and spin in that role, two out-and-out quicks and a specialist spinner.
South Africa: (possible) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Janneman Malan, 3 Temba Bavuma, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Rassie van der Dussen 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius/George Linde, 8 Andile Phehlulwayo, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi
Captain KL Rahul confirmed on the eve of the game that he would open in Rohit Sharma’s absence. He also hinted that India could play two spinners.
India: (possible) 1 KL Rahul (capt), 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Venkatesh Iyer, 7 Deepak Chahar, 8 Shardul Thakur/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
Pitch and conditions
Known for being slow and flat, Boland Park has thrown up some surprises over the years, most notably Sri Lanka being skittled out for 43 a decade ago. But first-innings scores tend to be high here and South Africa have topped 350 once in the last five years and come close on another occasion. Expect big runs on a ground with small boundaries, if the teams manage to not wilt in the weather. The Western Cape is experiencing a heatwave and temperatures in Paarl are set to top 45C this week.
Stats and trivia
- South Africa have not won an ODI series since sweeping Australia 3-nil in February 2020. They’ve since drawn with Ireland and lost to Sri Lanka.
- Yuzvendra Chahal needs three wickets to become the 23rd Indian player to take 100 wickets in ODIs.
Quotes
“I think he’s fine. He’s practising with us. So I don’t see any discomfort. Hopefully everything stays that way. Nothing that I am aware of right now but everyone seems to be okay. And hopefully it stays that way.”
Jasprit Bumrah hopes Mohammed Siraj will be fit to play after missing the Newlands Test.
“The batting preparation from a slow bowling point of view has been happening for the past year and you would have seen the positive results that the guys displayed when we played in Sri Lanka. At the World Cup as well, we made positive strides in terms of how we are playing slow bowling. Coming up against India, spin bowling is a strength of theirs. That’s something we are aware of. We’ll prepare as well as we can to mitigate against that.”
Temba Bavuma is confident about his side’s ability to tackle spin bowling.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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