IND vs SA: 2nd ODI Preview – Second-string India hope for a comeback

India and South Africa travel to Ranchi for their second ODI at the JSCA International Stadium on Sunday, 9th of October. The visitors survived an almighty scare in the first ODI to win the series opener by nine runs as Sanju Samson’s heroic innings went in vain for the Indian team.

The rain-curtailed affair saw Temba Bavuma’s side finish with a challenging total of 249 runs in their 40 overs thanks to a mammoth stand between David Miller and Heinrich Klassen. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi then finished the job for the visitors with the ball in hand scalping five wickets between them.

Meanwhile, India’s batting was a big letdown in the series opener as the top four batters failed to impress in their outing. Shreya Iyer and Sanju Samson played a couple of remarkable innings with the latter nearly pulling off an improbable victory for the home side. 

Pitch and Conditions 

The surface in Ranchi boasts decent batting conditions with the bowlers coming into the fray as the match progresses. Spinners are expected to get some assistance in the latter stages of the matches as the pitch deteriorates under the sun. Chasing has been the norm at this venue with dew also playing a part in the past.

Venue details: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi

Last ODI at the venue: AUS: 313/5 in 50 overs | IND: 281 in 48.2 overs.

Here’s the probable playing XI for India vs South Africa clash:

India:

With not much riding for India in the three-match series, the hosts will likely field the same eleven with the aim of providing more game time for the players. Deepak Chahar has been ruled out of the series due to a back injury.

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, and Avesh Khan.

South Africa:

The Proteas will be pleased with their performance in the series opener and will hope to continue with the same form in the second ODI as they look to gather maximum points from the series, seeking automatic qualification for the 50-over World Cup next year.

Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi.