SA vs IND: 2nd ODI Preview – India eye history for the second time in Africa

Having beaten South Africa in the first ODI by eight wickets in the ODI series opener, India will look to seal the series in the second game on Tuesday, December 19 at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. The Men in Blue put up a clinical show in the series opener as they bundled out the Proteas for just 116 in 27.3 overs in Johannesburg.

Arshdeep Singh was the star of the show as he picked up his first wicket in ODIs playing his third game and went on to complete a historic fifer (5/37). He was well supported by Avesh Khan who also picked up 4/27 in eight overs.

In reply, India comfortably chased down the target in just 16.4 overs with Sai Sudharsan (55* off 43) and Shreyas Iyer (52 off 45) scoring half-centuries. With a comprehensive win in the first game, India are just one step away from winning their second series in South Africa having won just once out of the eight series played in the country.

On the other hand, after a humiliating loss in the first game, South Africa will be desperate to make a comeback and assert their dominance over India once again. The Aiden Markram-led side will hope to put up a better performance with the bat on a slow surface that will aid the Indian spinners

Pitch Report

In the last five matches played at the venue, four have been won by teams batting second. The average first innings score has been 215 while the highest target chased in the history of the venue is 327. The surface at St George’s Park has been on the slower side, hence the captain winning the toss will look to bowl first keeping the recent records in mind.

Probable Playing XI